Today is moving forward with Bill C-15 An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It provides us with a roadmap to advance reconciliation, healing and equality.

Implementing the Declaration ensures respect, equality, & certainty. 9 federal laws refer to & were drafted in the spirit of the Declaration-  laws respecting Indigenous languages, Indigenous child & family services & Indigenous participation in environmental impact assessments

Bill C-15 includes the importance of respecting treaties &agreements, the need to take distinctions into account in implementing the legislation including elders, youth, children, persons with disabilities, women, men, gender-diverse &Two-Spirit persons. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/12/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-respecting-the-united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html

We know there is more work ahead of us than behind us and we are committed to doing this work in partnership with Indigenous peoples.

Today we recognize Chief Wilton Littlechild, Sakej Youngblood Henderson, @RomeoSaganash and many other Indigenous leaders who worked so hard both in Canada and internationally to get us to this day.

Ekosi @perrybellegarde @AFN_Updates, Nakummek @natanobed @ITK_CanadaInuit, Marsee David Chartrand @MNC_tweets for your leadership and dedication.

More information here: http://Canada.ca/Declaration