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REPORT TO THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ON THE
INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE (IDWIP)
As requested by
the Secretary-General of the United Nations on August 5, 1999, the Government
of Canada has the honour to submit the following for a mid-term report
on the implementation of the programme of activities for the IDWIP.
The Government of
Canada has supported and pursued a number of Decade-specific projects
and undertaken other major initiatives directly linked to the Decade
objectives, at international and national levels.
Support for IDWIP Activities
within the United Nations System
Canada has been
an active and consistent supporter of IDWIP activities within the United
Nations system.
From the outset
of the IDWIP, a major activity has been consideration of the draft Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples "with a view to achieving the
adoption of a draft declaration by the General Assembly within the Decade"
(GA resolution 49/214, December 1994).The Canadian delegation, which
has included representatives of Aboriginal organizations, has been active
in discussions at the Working Group on the Draft Declaration (WGDD).
While recognizing that the WGDD has used innovative working arrangements
and discussed difficult and fundamental issues, Canada hoped for more
progress in the negotiations and adoption of articles. Much work remains
if a Declaration is to be adopted within the IDWIP.
Canada is encouraged
by the progress which has been achieved in developing a consensus on
options for a permanent forum for indigenous peoples within the United
Nations. Canada intends to follow this closely.
The Working Group
on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) has devoted some of its agenda to the
IDWIP and its themes. Observer delegations from Canada have addressed
the WGIP with special statements, including statements on indigenous
health, education, and lands and resources. Indigenous experts from
Canada have also taken part in special panel sessions, held in conjunction
with the WGIP, on indigenous health or education. At the most recent
WGIP, a session on the new territory of Nunavut, which covers one-fifth
of Canada's land mass, included a question and answer period by one
of the key Aboriginal leaders in the development of Nunavut.
Canada hosted a
UN Experts Seminar on Land Rights and Claims. This brought together
experts from various countries, universities and indigenous organizations.
Chaired by an indigenous leader from Canada, it was held in Whitehorse,
Yukon in March 1996 (E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/1996/6).
Canada has been
a contributor and observer for the Decade Voluntary Fund which has funded
projects as well as enabled indigenous representative to attend certain
international meetings. The participation of indigenous representatives
from Canada has been supported on a policy and financial basis for international
conferences such as Habitat II, the World Food Summit, conferences and
workshops related to the Convention on Biological Diversity,
and an UNESCO conference.
Other United Nations'
commemorative events are sometimes combined with IDWIP projects. For
the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration
of Human Rights, for example, texts of the Declaration were prepared
in several indigenous languages (Inuktitut, Ojibway and Swampy Cree),
conveyed to the United Nations and placed on a government website.
Other IDWIP International Activities
The UN's goal for
the Decade: "to strengthen international co-operation to solve the problems
faced by indigenous people" has resulted in some new relationships and
activities.
The Canada/New Zealand
Economic Development Exchange was established by the Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) and the Ministry of Maori Development
in New Zealand. The exchange has involved the Maori and the Nisga'a
Tribal Council in British Columbia. Healing Our Spirits is a
joint Canada/New Zealand/Australia initiative focussing on Aboriginal
health issues and models. Canada was an active participant on the Planning
Committee for the January 1998 New Zealand Conference and supported
a large delegation of community health workers. Canada will once again
be an active participant in planning for the next conference and is
the first alternate to host.
The 1996 Declaration
of Objectives for the Canada-Mexico Relationship spoke about fostering
indigenous and government links, economic co-operation and other contacts.
In November 1996, the Canada/Mexico Aboriginal Economic Round Table
was held to discuss opportunities for co-operative business relationships
between indigenous peoples in Canada and Mexico. Many other contacts
have followed between governments and Aboriginal organizations and businesses,
including a Declaration of Intent between DIAND and the National Institute
for Indigenous Affairs of the United Mexican States which was signed
earlier this year.
Canada is currently
working with the Peruvian government through the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO) to develop a Solvent Abuse Treatment Program, for
the Peruvian Indigenous people, modelled on Canada's existing program.
Haida Spirits of the Sea is a virtual exhibit 
developed for Expo '98 in Lisbon, Portugal. It uses high technology to teach Internet users around the world about the Haida Gwaii's contemporary life, rich culture and enduring relationship
with the sea. Another virtual exhibit is being developed for Expo 2000
in Hannover, Germany, with the Haida and Inuit.
The General Assembly
report on the Implementation of the Programme of Activities for the
Decade, (A/51/499), October 1996, refers to some activities which
can be mentioned here. As a member of the Organization of American States
(OAS), Canada has been participating in discussions on a draft American
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Canada was the
first chair of the Arctic Council, which includes the circumpolar countries
along with organizations representing indigenous peoples.
IDWIP Activities in Canada
While there were
several meetings, including at the Ministerial level, between government
and indigenous organizations, a Decade specific national plan of action
has not been adopted. In January 1998 however, Gathering Strength:
Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan was launched. With an overall theme
of Renewing the Partnerships, Gathering Strength is one of the
most comprehensive action plans ever developed in partnership with Aboriginal
people. It is an integrated plan based on: recognizing past mistakes
and injustices; commencing reconciliation, healing and renewal; and
building a joint plan to support economic development and strong, sustainable
Aboriginal communities and governments. For example, among the actions
taken to improve indigenous health are the announcement or expansion
of the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiatives, early childhood development
programs, and Home and Community Care and Health Information Systems.
Since the beginning
of the IDWIP, Canada has celebrated the International Day of the World's
Indigenous People on August 9th. Over the years, different
countries, themes and activities have been highlighted. Speakers have
talked about indigenous developments and contacts in various countries,
regions or among indigenous women. Panel discussions, for example, have
considered traditional knowledge, human rights, and other issues. Films
and performers have conveyed the culture of indigenous peoples from
different parts of the world.
Starting in 1996,
the National Aboriginal Day has been celebrated each June 21. It is
intended to help make all Canadians aware of Aboriginal peoples' valuable
contributions to Canadian society and of the diverse culture of Aboriginal
peoples in Canada.
The National Aboriginal
Achievement Awards (NAAA) started with the International Year of the
World's Indigenous People (IYWIP) and now has funding continuing through
the International Decade. Each year the gala awards show highlights
and honours Aboriginal men and women in Canada for their outstanding
achievements in diverse occupations. It is televised nationally.
Another example
of a Decade-related project involving Aboriginal organizations is a
plain-language version of the UN Draft Declaration and an information
pamphlet. These were developed and produced by two groups in English,
French, Inuktitut and Oji-Cree to increase awareness and understanding
of the work on the Draft Declaration.
Articles and other
information, such as websites, www.inac.gc.ca/decade
and www.inac.gc.ca/pubs/information/info123.html
have been prepared to give some public awareness to the IDWIP.
September 1999
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