UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights REJECTED

Source: First Nations Leadership Council
November 28, 2006

Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver BC -
After two decades of discussion and development, the slow pace of
approval of the United Nations declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples came to a halt today at the current session of the UN General
Assembly in New York. A resolution put forward by the Namibian
delegation - in effect, a non-action motion on the Declaration - was
supported by a majority with 82 Nation States voting in favour, 67
Nation States voting not in favour and 25 Nation States abstaining.

Grand Chief Ed John, First Nations Summit Executive member, who is in
New York on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and working with the
Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, stated "Today is a very sad day for
the United Nations and a very serious setback for the integrity of the
newly formed Human Rights Council who urged the General Assembly to
formally adopt this historic document. It now appears that the most
likely outcome will be that the United Nations never formally adopts the
Declaration. This is a remarkable and bizarre development."

"Canada was positioned to play a significant role in supporting the
Declaration but Canada chose to actively oppose the Declaration as a
member of the Human Rights Council and at the General Assembly,"
commented BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo. "We
share the deep frustration of all those who worked long and hard
to get the Declaration to this point. We sincerely hope that the
Declaration is not lost and that we can find a way in which to
revitalize this important work."

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs,
stated "Canada no longer enjoys a 'blue beret' reputation at the United
Nations. Canada's disgraceful and disgusting conduct against Indigenous
People at both the national and international levels is being noted.

It is simply shameful that as a Council member of the Human Rights
Council, Canada pretends to espouse the highest standards and protection
of Human Rights. It is those countries who have lived with the ravages
of colonialism now speak for continuing colonialism for
all Indigenous Peoples."

The Declaration was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council this past
June and was recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. Canada
was one of few countries to vote against the Declaration in June.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian
Chiefs, (250) 490-5314
Colin Braker, First Nations Summit,
(604) 926-9903 or (604) 328-4094
Heather Gillies, BC Assembly of First Nations,
(604) 837-6908