(February 6, 2025 – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Vancouver, BC) – Yesterday, speaking at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Forum on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA), National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) is more important than ever, providing an international human rights instrument that elaborates and affirms First Nations’ pre-existing rights, including the right to oppose all forms of colonialism, such as the threats posed by the Trump administration.
“The UN Declaration affirms our rights to maintain cross-border relations for cultural, social, political, trade, and economic purposes,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “It also recognizes our right to meaningfully participate in decision-making at the highest level. It’s repeated expression of standards on free, prior, and informed consent directs States to respect our decisions about our lives and futures.”
The two-day National Forum provided participants an opportunity to reflect and build on First Nations’ expectations for all governments to implement the UN Declaration and the United Nations Declaration Act. Input gathered will contribute to an AFN Progress Report on Canada’s 2023 Action Plan.
“While we acknowledge the current federal government’s efforts to support reconciliation, have voiced concerns about the slow progress in implementing our inherent and Treaty rights, title, and jurisdiction, using the UN Declaration as a guide,” added National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Much more work is needed to ensure Canada fulfills its commitments reflected in the Action Plan. First Nations expect transformational change, which requires new approaches to funding and capacity building, meaningful consultation, and transparent reporting that supports First Nations in setting their own priorities and determining their own futures. It is unacceptable to expect First Nations to wait while our children are taken, our women go missing, and our people die in police custody.”
Before the next federal election, the AFN will advocate for the inclusion of First Nations’ priorities in all federal party platforms. In addition to resolutions passed by First Nations-in-Assembly, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ 231 Calls for Justice, the AFN will urge all parties to fully implement the UN Declaration and advance First Nations priorities.
Earlier this week, the National Chief condemned President Trump’s unilateral imposition of tariffs and offensive statements suggesting that Canada should become part of the United States through economic coercion. Over the next month, the National Chief will confirm plans to meet with leaders of Native American organizations and meet with the Jay Treaty Border Alliance on the impacts of these developments on First Nations’ inherent and Treaty rights.
“First Nations have inhabited these territories long before colonial borders were imposed,” concluded National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Our lands, territories, and resources sustain our Nations on both sides of the Medicine Line. Both Canada and the United States must respect our Treaties and lands, and the UN Declaration provides a framework of minimum standards to States on how to do that. An escalating trade war or full-scale tariffs will undermine our rights and devastate communities across our lands. The UN Declaration is the result of decades of work by Indigenous leaders around the world, and we will continue to work with Indigenous Peoples in the U.S. to protect our rights. We are stronger when we work together, and the Declaration provides a path forward for both States and Indigenous Peoples.”
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
For more information, please contact:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
National Chief’s Office
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
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