OTTAWA, March 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde issued the following statement in response to the announcement by United States President Donald Trump that his administration has approved the Keystone XL pipeline:
"This is an important moment to remind Canadians that First Nations hold inherent rights and Treaty rights recognized in Canada's constitution and remind governments everywhere that we hold rights in international law, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which both Canada and the United States support. This includes the right to free, prior and informed consent over any activities that could affect our lands, our lives or our futures. Governments must respect and honour these rights, just as First Nations will work to ensure that they are upheld."
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
SOURCE Assembly of First Nations
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