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Canadian Association of Social Workers press release ... 

September 27, 2007

Aboriginal Groups Disheartened by the
Canadian Government’s Decision to Vote Against the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 13, 2007. The declaration is the result of 22 years of debates and negotiations, with Canada acting as one of the supporters in these discussions.

While the international community voted with a majority to approve this document, our Canadian government, along with the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia, voted against the Declaration.

Survival International reports (Sept 10, 2007), “The opposing countries are well known for their poor treatment of indigenous peoples. Australia, New Zealand and the United States have in the past been subject to ‘early warning and urgent action procedures’ by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Canada has been subject to particular criticism, as it has in the past supported the declaration. Canadian opposition parties are united against the stand taken by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.”

Canadian legislature, laws and social policies are founded historically on the values and philosophies of a British belief system that included colonialism, patriarchal rule and the “Poor Law.”

Aboriginal people are still affected by these outdated beliefs because the Canadian government refuses to make legislative or social policy changes. The vote against the Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples is a clear demonstration that our Government does not want to allow Aboriginal people in Canada to have the same human rights given to everyone else in the world.

The Canadian justice system, child welfare, health, education, community services, and political arenas, are structured to oppress Aboriginal people. Bureaucracy is too rigid and inflexible to truly accommodate the needs of Aboriginal people and therefore there has been no change in the socio-economic conditions of this population. Aboriginal people are still over-represented in these systems and do not have the political recognition as equal partners in the governance of Aboriginal people.

Self-determination for Aboriginal people is kept at arm’s-length by our Canadian government. Changes to systems would entail an assurance from political leaders to engage and commit time, money, and effort in consultations with our Aboriginal leaders to restructure every law and social policy affecting Aboriginal people.

It is simply easier for the Canadian government to maintain status quo and provide statements that defend their withdrawal or lack of commitment to Aboriginals in Canada.

The Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples is a non-binding agreement that sets out global human rights for Indigenous Peoples. Prime Minister Harper, UN Canadian Ambassador John McNee, and Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, all claim the Declaration is too vague.

The Declaration was created by Aboriginal people from a global community and it is more than just a piece of paper. It represents a universal voice from Aboriginal people in a global community and states very clearly the need to recognize the rights for Indigenous peoples.

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For more information contact:

Brenda Gladue, BSW, RSW
Chair, Aboriginal Social Workers Interest Group
Phone: (613) 729-6668; e-mail casw@casw-acts.ca

Or

Veronica Marsman, MSW, RSW
President, Canadian Association of Social Workers
Phone: (613) 729-6668; e-mail casw@casw-acts.ca