On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a number of groups are saying Canada needs to greater involve First Nations people in resource development on traditional lands.
The UN declaration says governments need to gain free, prior and informed consent from Aboriginal people before pursuing resource development on their lands.
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde says Canadian governments and businesses still have a long way to go in honouring this requirement.
“So as part of that right – free, prior and informed consent – also the right to say when and where and if developments occur and so we need to be respected and respected in all areas,” he says. “First Nations people need to be included and I think more needs to be done in that whole area right now.”
Bellegarde says greater involving Indigenous people in resource development on their lands means resource revenue sharing with First Nations by governments.
He adds he is hopeful a new bilateral agreement signed between the organization and province will lead to the creation of such a resource revenue sharing agreement.
A number of organizations have signed a joint statement calling on Canada to greater involve First Nations in resource development on traditional lands including the FSIN, Assembly of First Nations, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs and Amnesty International.
UN Special Rapporteur James Anaya will be visiting Canada in October.