Adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: CANADA
MUST NOW ACT AND ENSURE ITS IMPLEMENTATION

MONTREAL, Nov. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - On Friday, November 12, 2010, the Government of Canada supported the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. "AFNQL welcomes this gesture of recognition of our peoples and rights. The government must now give a practical meaning to this symbolic gesture by ensuring the full implementation of the Declaration in the Canadian policies", said the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), Ghislain Picard.

This Statement establishes a framework for the protection of fundamental rights of indigenous peoples in regard to their survival, dignity and well-being, while affirming all of their collective and individual rights: their cultural and identity rights, their education, health, employment, and language rights. Only four countries voted against its adoption by the UN General Assembly, on September 13, 2007: Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia. Until recently, only Canada and the United States had refused to endorse it.

"We sincerely hope that the federal and provincial governments will comply with the articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They lay the foundations for a new respectful relationship with our nations", said Ghislain Picard, who intends to urge the Canadian and the Quebec governments to ensure the UN Declaration is respected in all jurisdictions.

About AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the regional organization that brings together the 43 First Nations Chiefs of Quebec and Labrador. For information: www.apnql-afnql.com.

For further information:

Éric Cardinal
Communications Consultant
514 258-2315 (cell.)
[email protected]