(October 29, 2025 – Vancouver, BC) – As the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (AFN) hosts its 22nd Annual General Meeting and delegates from across the region gather to discuss First Nations priorities, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has released its 2025 Progress Report on Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA). The report tracks Canada’s progress in implementing its commitments made under the UNDA Action Plan released in June 2023.
“While there has been progress in some key areas, including policy and legislation, we need to do more,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “With a new government and a new session of Parliament, now is the time for bold strides towards transformative change. Our report points to critical gaps in implementation and the need to work together to ensure federal laws are consistent with the UN Declaration. The UN Declaration is not a discretionary commitment. These are legal obligations that Canada has committed in the most unqualified way to realizing in policy, legislation and international commitments, and under Canada’s legal obligations under various human rights treaties. We continue to call for the funding needed to achieve full implementation of the Act and for the full affirmation of First Nations inherent and Treaty rights, title, and jurisdiction.”
The National Chief pointed to positive steps over the past year, such as the release of the Indigenous Justice Strategy, the creation of the UNDA Action Plan Advisory Committee, and ongoing implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The National Chief stated that accelerated action will benefit everyone. The report finds that, of the UNDA Action Plan Measures related to First Nations’ and Shared Priorities, seven have seen moderate progress, with the remaining 123 Action Plan Measures having little or some progress (60) or no visible progress at all (64).
“Canada is focused on economic prosperity,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Canadians need to understand that implementing the UNDA will create the conditions for strong, self-determining First Nations and a stronger economy for the entire country. This report is a call to Parliamentarians to work with First Nations to implement the UN Declaration, and to respect the UNDA and free, prior and informed consent. First Nations must be full and equal partners in all nation-building efforts, including major projects under Bill C-5. Accelerated action is needed now so the next AFN Progress Report can show the positive impacts of our ongoing work.”
“The implementation of the UN Declaration through the UNDA federal legislation has immense transformative potential, which will be of tremendous benefit to not only First Nations, but all Canadians,” stated BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee, portfolio holder on the UN Declaration for the AFN. “I remain concerned that the federal government has failed to act on their commitments to the UN Declaration in relation to Bill C-5 and has yet to express a commitment to the implementation of the Act. Canada must come to the table with a whole of government that aligns all federal legislation with the principles and standards of the UN declaration, including free, prior and informed consent.”
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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
Office of the National Chief
[email protected]
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
Kelly Reid
Senior Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
[email protected]
613-292-0857 (mobile)