Anishinabek Nation submits UNDRIP report to Justice Canada
ANISHINABEK NATION TERRITORY— Anishinabek Nation’s Legal Department hosted 16 virtual sessions to educate, engage, and gather feedback about the newly adopted United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and enacted supporting legislation.
The Anishinabek Nation will be providing all feedback in a report to Canada that will assist in a 10-year action plan on what changes need to happen within federal legislation over the next decade.
Through the direction of E’Dbendaagzijig (Citizens) and Ogiimah (Chiefs), the Anishinabek Nation Legal Department was able to complete a report that encompassed recommendations for alignment of federal legislation with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. A total of 12 pieces of legislation for recommendation to be reformed and transformed were identified. These transformations will be essential to enhance the recognition of First Nation rights, acknowledgement of First Nation jurisdiction, and affirming First Nation human rights, both collectively and individually for Anishinabek Nation.
An outline of the report was presented to member First Nations Chiefs in each of the four regions and a motion was passed by the Chiefs from each region to ensure the UNDRIP Report is supported and submitted.
The following are examples of the proposed federal legislation to be transformed. These transformations will encompass restoring Anishinabek Nation’s traditional laws and be inclusive and reinforce cultural competencies and models. Moreover, will ensure that jurisdiction is recognized and support systems for economic independence through fiscal frameworks that support the operation of our Anishinabek First Nation governments and institutions.
| Constitution Act | Adhere to and add the principles and statements of UNDRIP within the Constitution Act. These principles and statements will ensure that Anishinabek Nation member First Nations’ inherent right to determination and autonomy or self-government is upheld and protected. Anishinabek Nation communities are also entitled to a duty to consult when issues or concerns may adversely impact potential or established treaty rights. |
| Interpretation Act | Protect treaty and Aboriginal rights from being negatively impacted by legislation or governmental agreements. Ensure that public officials and departments actively enact the principles, statements, and measures of UNDRIP to uphold Anishinabek Nation First Nations’ treaty rights. |
| Human Rights Act | Implement improvements to Human Rights Act to ensure equitable standards and UNDRIP is intertwined within the Human Rights Act. Create an Indigenous-specific complaints processes and allow for new models that are culturally-appropriate and includes Indigenous laws in complaints resolution. |
| Charter of Rights and Freedoms
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Include rights for Anishinabek Nation’s citizens to fully participate in decision-making matters that affect any of Indigenous rights. Reinforce jurisdiction rights and other rights or freedoms to include the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. |
| Indian Act | Reform the legislation, regulations, and policies to remove systemic obstacles to reflect decision-making models, reinforce jurisdiction, and recognize and support economic independence through fiscal frameworks that support the operation of Indigenous governments and create a shared strategic vision with First Nations that upholds the rights and objectives of the UN Declaration. |
The next step is that the federal government will release a “What We Learned” report and will be required to complete an Action Plan. The Action Plan will be tabled in Parliament where injustices, prejudices, and elimination of violence, racism, and discrimination against our Anishinabek Nation’s citizens and communities will be combated. Measures will be developed and addressed through appropriate measures that will be monitored on an annual basis.
The report will be available on the Anishinabek Nation’s website and it is encouraged that all Anishinabek First Nation leadership, staff, and citizens review the report.
There will be more announcements in the upcoming year that will elaborate on the early work that will be implemented to ensure that there is Indigenous-led participation in the co-development of the Action Plan. Anishinabek Nation voices and perspectives are key to addressing the historical and ongoing imbalance of power in multi-level governmental decision-making. This collaborative work will help close socio-economic gaps that transfer responsibility for the design, delivery, and management of our Anishinabek Nation communities’ services and assist in embarking on changing Indigenous history and paving a way forward towards improving the road ahead for our future generations.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to connect with Kristy Jones, Justice Manager, Anishinabek Nation: kristy.jones@anishinabek.ca