THUNDER BAY – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is applauding the Government of Canada today for the decision to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“We are very pleased that the Government of Canada has decided to live up to its International and National obligations by endorsing the UNDRIP,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “Although the UNDRIP is not legally binding it has a legal effect as it allows the Supreme Court of Canada to have a liberal interpretation of our social, cultural, economic, political, spiritual and environmental rights. It contains important language with regards to the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples – which will be a useful tool in any discussions that involve development on our homelands. We congratulate Canada for taking this important step.”
NAN has been vocal in its effort to have the Government of Canada endorse the UNDRIP, since it was first adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007.
Most recently, NAN Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution calling on Canada’s endorsement.