“The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is an occasion to celebrate the distinct cultures and contributions of the estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples living across 90 countries, including Canada. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm Indigenous Peoples right to self-determination. By virtue of this right, Indigenous Peoples must be able to freely determine their political status and pursue their own economic, social and cultural development.
Canada is committed to inclusive trade and promoting responsible global business conduct abroad that respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through the Trade Commissioner Service, we are creating more opportunities for Indigenous businesses to successfully expand into global markets and levelling the playing field so that more Indigenous Peoples can benefit from trade.
“As a member of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement, Canada is working with international partners to identify and remove barriers to the participation of Indigenous Peoples in trade. We are also working within the growing Inclusive Trade Action Group to further develop and expand international Indigenous trade and investment opportunities and relationships.
“The spirit of ‘nothing about us without us’ is at the heart of Canada’s renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples. In the past year, Global Affairs Canada worked with national Indigenous organizations to co-develop a measure for inclusion in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan, released on June 21, 2023. This measure aims to bring greater coherence to the way federal departments consult and cooperate with Indigenous Peoples on international issues that affect them.
“Global Affairs Canada is also advancing the Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate initiative, which was developed in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada (for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami) and the Métis National Council. The initiative focuses on Indigenous priorities and leadership in addressing climate change through international development assistance.
“Canada continues to support Indigenous participation in the Arctic Council and UN expert workshops and forums aimed at strengthening Indigenous rights, participation and negotiation. Canada provides up to $650,000 annually to each of the 3 Arctic Council Permanent Participant organizations currently represented in Canada—the Arctic Athabaskan Council, Gwich’in Council International and the ICC Canada—and engages them regularly on the implementation of Canada’s international Arctic agenda.
“We acknowledge Canada’s colonial legacy and that our country’s human rights record deserves scrutiny. Canada welcomed the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples earlier this year and extends a standing invitation to all UN Human Rights Council special procedure mandate holders. Canada also supports the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples and its Indigenous Fellowships Programme, the latter of which is building the leadership skills of Indigenous rights defenders, including women, 2SLGBTQI+ people and people with disabilities.
“Human rights and Indigenous perspectives on sustainable development were also the focus of an Indigenous-led report commissioned earlier this year by Global Affairs Canada. Launched at the United Nations this spring, the report, entitled Indigenous Peoples, Self-determination and Sustainable Development: A Human Rights Approach, draws on Indigenous experiences and insights with respect to international assistance and sustainable development. Articles are available in Cree, Inuktitut, Kanien’kéha, Michif, English and French. Canada is committed to continuing to learn from Indigenous Peoples to inform our approach to sustainable development domestically and internationally.
“Canada is committed to renewing its relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on the recognition of the right to self-determination and the rights and principles outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Today, we reaffirm this commitment and pledge to continue listening to, learning from and working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada and Indigenous Peoples worldwide.”
— Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
— Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development
— Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
EVENTS TODAY
