The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called Canada to adopt and implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as “the framework for reconciliation" (Call to Action #43). For the last 4 years, Canadians from coast to coast have championed Bill C-262, a transformative piece of legislation that will ensure that Canada’s laws are in harmony with the Declaration.
Through incredible grassroots advocacy and persuasion, 262 was passed by the House of Commons and made it all the way to 3rd reading in the Senate. However, on June 21st, 2019 (National Indigenous Peoples Day), 262 "died on the order paper" because of the obstruction of a handful of Conservative Senators.
Yet there is good news!
- The conversation around the UN Declaration has dramatically shifted in Canada—for the better. More and more people recognize the importance of respecting these "minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being the Indigenous peoples of the world."
- On June 19, 2019—The government leader in the Senate, Peter Harder, announced that the Liberals will support government legislation to implement the UN Declaration. [Now all major political parties, except the Conservatives, support a legislative framework for the Declaration!]
- On December 5, 2019—The Governor General announced that the Government of Canada will "take action to co-develop and introduce legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the first year of the new mandate." This would not have happened without the powerful 262 movement that we created!
This fight continues!
For over 35 years, Indigenous Peoples have been pushing for the Declaration and the recognition of their inherent rights. The time has come for us to make this a reality here in Canada. As we head into 2020, we call upon the Canadian government to act with great intentionality and urgency to put forward legislation that will reconcile its laws so that they are in line with the just and peaceable standards of the Declaration.
Will you add your voice to our movement? Can you join us as we move forward on a path, not just towards reconciliation, but one of equality and justice? Will you take action to #passbillc262?
TAKE ACTION!
Here are 2 important actions you can take in 4 minutes to support Bill C-262! We'll update these after the October 21st election, so stay tuned.
- Ask your current Member of Parliament & the candidates in your riding—"Will you commit to the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada by supporting a government bill that meets or exceeds the provisions of Bill C-262?"
- Take a photo of yourself (or with your community group) showing your support of Bill C262, and post to social media. “I support Bill C-262!” "We support Indigenous rights!" Use the hashtags #passBillC262 #UNDRIP #SenCA. If it's helpful, you can download a #PassBillC262 poster here.
New Mini-Doc!
We've created a new 12-minute mini-documentary that shares the struggle to adopt and implement the Declaration in Canada.
Check it out here—This Fight Continues! 262 & the Declaration