NDP statement on the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made the following statement:

“Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). As we celebrate the lives, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples, First Nations, Métis and Inuits, it is important that we reflect on the decades of work taken to begin the path to reconciliation.

Just over a year ago, UNDRIP was adopted in Canada, which would not have happened without the hard work of First Nations, Métis and Inuit leadership. This includes the efforts of former NDP MP Romeo Saganash, who led this work through Parliament since 2015.

But even with all this work, the rights of Indigenous peoples are still being denied in Canada today. After seven years in power, the Liberal government has only implemented a few of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. Under Justin Trudeau's leadership:

• Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2SI+ people still face extreme violence and ongoing genocide.
• Housing for Indigenous communities is still underfunded, and no Indigenous-led housing strategy for Indigenous people has been created.
• Healthcare for Indigenous communities is heavily underfunded – Indigenous communities don’t have access to the doctors, nurses and medical care they need.
• Boil water advisories continue despite over two decades of nice words and commitments from the Liberals.

Indigenous people, their families and communities deserve better.

Symbolic measures aren’t enough to stop genocide and racism. The government needs to reform Canadian institutions that have perpetuated discrimination against Indigenous peoples for over 150 years.

New Democrats know that the Liberals must make more than symbolic changes to ensure Canada’s laws respect the UN Declaration. We will continue to fight for meaningful collaboration with Indigenous leadership and proper funding from the federal government for the services Indigenous peoples have been denied for centuries.

We will always stand with Indigenous communities and continue to fight alongside them for real change.”