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Fact Sheet on the United Nations International Decade of the World's
Indigenous People
- On December 9,
1994, the United Nations (UN) proclaimed 1995-2004 as the International
Decade of the World's Indigenous People.
- Following the
International Year of the World's Indigenous People in 1993, the United
Nations felt a Decade would provide further opportunity for themselves,
governments, indigenous groups, and non-governmental organizations
to continue to focus on indigenous issues and concerns.
- The United Nations
adopted the theme "Partnership in Action" to help meet its goal of
strengthening international cooperation for the solution of problems
faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment,
development, health, and education.
- The federal government
is working with nine national Aboriginal organizations and individuals
active in international indigenous issues to develop Canada's action
plan for the Decade.
- Canada has already
marked the Decade in a number of ways, including:
- Hosting a
UN Experts Seminar on Land Rights and Claims in Whitehorse, Yukon
in March 1996.
- Supporting
and encouraging the participation of Aboriginal people in international
conferences such as the World Food Summit and the Biodiversity
Convention.
- Continuing
to support the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards which were
started during the International Year and providing federal funding
to the national Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to 2004.
- An international
indigenous business exchange begun in June 1998 with the Ministry
of Maori Development in New Zealand.
- Canada and
Canadian Aboriginal representatives are playing an important role
in the United Nations' discussions on a draft Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- A project
with the Haida community of Old Massett and several Canadian museums
-- Haida Spirits of the Sea, a virtual exhibit for Expo'98
in Lisbon, Portugal.
- Participating
in the World Health Organization's Decade project on substance
use.
- Fostering
international indigenous economic development through a Canada-Mexico
Aboriginal Economic Round Table in November 1996.
- In addition to
these Decade-specific projects, the Government of Canada has supported
and pursued other major initiatives directly linked to the Decade
objectives. For example, in January 1998 the federal government unveiled
Gathering Strength--Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan in order
to work closely with Aboriginal people to build the means and capacity
to effect social change.
- The Government
of Canada will work with Aboriginal people throughout the Decade to
advance objectives and to continue to demonstrate the Decade theme,
"Partnership in Action."
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