In June 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent and immediately came into force.
The Department of Justice Canada’s call for proposals regarding the UNDRIP Action Plan shortly followed, and our Policy & Research team submitted a successful proposal.
This report summarizes what we heard from 183 Indigenous youth from coast to coast to coast on Canada’s UNDRIP Action Plan in Fall 2022. The details of each engagement are followed by an overview of youth recommendations organized by three elements of the UNDRIP Action Plan:
- Addressing injustices, combatting prejudice, and eliminating all forms of violence, racism, and discrimination against Indigenous peoples (including Elders, youth, children, persons with disabilities, women, men, and gender-diverse and Two-Spirit persons);
- Promoting mutual respect and understanding, as well as good relations, including through human rights education; and
- Monitoring, overseeing, and evaluating the implementation of UNDRIP.
We hope these engagements and this resulting report will help ensure Indigenous youth voices are heard and offer meaningful insight and guidance to the Department of Justice in developing the UNDRIP Action Plan.
I won’t believe [that the government is implementing UNDRIP successfully] until I see my
Sharing Circle Participant
community or communities around me having a better quality of life. I want to see actual changes rather than another data report.
Key questions:
What do Indigenous youth see as priorities regarding the implementation of UNDRIP? How do Indigenous youth envision a future where UNDRIP is implemented? How do their recommendations align with existing laws and policies?
Flip through the report below to see what they had to say!
Resources
Learn more about UNDRIP
- United Nations – UNDRIP (Full Document)
- Justice Canada – UNDA Fact Sheet
- Assembly of First Nations – Bill C-15 FAQ
- House of Commons of Canada – Bill C-15
- Indigenous Bar Association – Understanding UNDRIP
- Bill C-15 is a chance ‘to actually break with the colonial status quo’ – Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel
- Yellowhead Institute – Manufacturing Free, Prior and Informed Consent: A Brief History of Canada vs. UNDRIP
- Justice Canada – Indigenous Youth Voices on UNDRIP (video)
- Warrior Life Podcast – Ellen Gabriel on UNDRIP & Bill C-15 (video / podcast)
- Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples – UNDRIP Resource List
- Justice Canada – June 2022 Annual UNDRIP Implementation Progress Report
Self-Care Resources
- You Matter Too: Resources for Self Care by Farrah Khan
- Indigenizing Your Self-Care
- Working Your Wheel: Indigenous Self Care (webinar)
- The Yellowhead Institute – Turning to Traditional Processes for Supporting Mental Health (interview with Ashley Carvill)
- Native Youth Sexual Health Network, You are made of Medicine: A mental health peer support manual
- Culture For Life campaign Resource Directory
- Two-Spirit ‘Zine by Marie Lang
- Zaagi’diwin Inakinogewin | Love Law: A Policy Note For Protecting Two-Spirit, Non-Binary & Trans Indigenous Peoples
- Pîkiskwêwin Indigenous language podcast project
- The Mamawi Project – Métis youth rebuilding their nations and celebrating culture
- Caring for Yourself is a Radical Act – Self-Care Guide for Youth Working in Community
- Working Your Wheel: Indigenous Self-Care (Webinar)
- Hope For Wellness online or by phone at 1-855-242-3310
- The Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, Available in Inuktitut and English toll-free at 1-800-265-3333
Advisory Committee
We welcomed five Indigenous subject matter experts to help ensure our work was guided by community priorities. We are grateful for all of the knowledge and guidance each member provided throughout the course of the engagement.
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Have any questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us via email: centre@canadianroots.ca