Conclusion
This year’s Annual Report is the first to report on implementation of the UN Declaration Act Action Plan. Indigenous partners shared their hopes and concerns, and made many recommendations, while federal government departments and agencies reported on their progress and the challenges they faced.
The Action Plan reflects the ambition of Canada and Indigenous peoples to make concrete progress to advance and uphold Indigenous human rights over the next five years.
This year we’ve seen progress in the areas of Indigenous justice, border mobility, Indigenous languages, Indigenous jurisdiction in child and family services, recognizing and affirming First Nations jurisdiction in relation to water on First Nations lands, Indigenous-led conservation, health and education, and UN Declaration Act training for federal public servants. Many other Action Plan measures are underway.
We are grateful to the 56 Indigenous partners whose feedback and recommendations form the basis of this report. We hear your calls for more detail regarding Action Plan implementation, including time-bound objectives, work plans, measurable commitments, and clear indicators of progress, to ensure effective implementation. Indigenous partners want to be included in all aspects of Action Plan measures including design, implementation, reporting and monitoring. We acknowledge the need to consult and cooperate broadly on Action Plan implementation. This will ensure the voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments and representative organizations, Modern Treaty and self-governing nations, Indigenous women, youth, children, 2SLGBTQI++, persons with disabilities, Elders, as well as urban and off-reserve people are reflected and respected as we move forward together toward reconciliation and achieving the objectives of the UN Declaration.
Both federal government and Indigenous partners highlighted the need for ongoing, sustainable funding.
Both Indigenous peoples and Government of Canada officials see the need for section 5 of the UN Declaration Act to be implemented with clarity and transparency. As the Government of Canada continues to advance laws affecting the rights of Indigenous peoples, it continues to reflect, learn from these experiences and develop best practices to implement section 5 of the UN Declaration Act.
Despite their concerns, Indigenous partners shared that the Action Plan is a positive step forward in the recognition and realization of the rights of Indigenous peoples. It represents a vision for the future and sets out a strong foundation and a clear policy framework for Indigenous peoples and the Government of Canada to work together on a wide range of issues.
We must remain accountable and be responsive to the evolving priorities of Indigenous peoples. In this way, we will build a better, more equitable future where the rights of Indigenous peoples are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
“In summary, the UNDA National Action Plan can both be a beacon of hope and a call to action. It’s a roadmap toward positive change, but its successful implementation requires dedication, collaboration, and overcoming capacity constraints.”
Blood Tribe
Department of Justice Canada
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