The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act marks a historic milestone in Canada’s collective journey of reconciliation — one rooted in the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.
To do this work, and to further advance the consultation and cooperation process, two documents are being shared publicly and with Indigenous partners: a What We Learned to Date report and a draft action plan.
The What We Learned to Date report captures many of the perspectives, themes and priorities that Indigenous peoples shared during phase one.
The draft action plan includes measures that reflect many of the priorities and proposals shared by Indigenous partners in phase one, grouped by the thematic areas of rights set out in the Act. This draft action plan is a starting point to further support the co-development of a comprehensive and final action plan, to be made public in June 2023. The draft action plan and the What We Learned to Date report will also help support ongoing dialogue with provinces, territories and industry.
The Government of Canada will be working closely with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governing bodies, representative organizations and rights holders over the coming months to complete the action plan in June 2023. The action plan will be another important stepping-stone along the path of upholding and implementing the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
“Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is generational work. We are on track to complete the action plan in June, building on what we have learned to date and the draft action plan. Our priority in the coming weeks is to continue to consult and cooperate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to ensure their priorities are understood, included and acted upon. The final action plan will mark an important milestone, but more importantly, the work we are doing will not end then because we are at the start of this transformational work. Together, we will create a brighter future for present and future generations for Indigenous peoples and, indeed, all of Canada.”
— The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
For more information, media may contact:
Diana Ebadi
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
343-574-3446
Diana.Ebadi@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca
