“Canada faces a continuing crisis when it comes to the situation of indigenous peoples of the country,” according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples James Anaya in a report released Monday (May 12),
“The well-being gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in Canada has not narrowed over the last several years, treaty and aboriginals claims remain persistently unresolved, indigenous women and girls remain vulnerable to abuse, and overall there appear to be high levels of distrust among indigenous peoples toward government at both the federal and provincial levels.”
Among Anaya’s recommendations, more consultation with Canada’s Indigenous people on resource development and education, and the setting up of an inquiry into the “disturbing phenomenon of missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls”.
Initial reaction from Canadian government ministers is that there’s no need for an inquiry, and that the government is making progress on many issues.
RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda has a report.
ListenMore information:
UN Special Rapporteur report – The situation of indigenous peoples in Canada – here
Statement by Minister Valcourt in reaction to Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – here
Additional statement by Minister Valcourt – here
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