United Nations Criticized Over Quebec's Treatment by Delegation

United Nations Criticized Over Quebec's Treatment by Delegation

Fed-Up Indigenous Leaders Take their Fight for Rights to the UN

This week at the UN's New York headquarters, Indigenous leaders from Quebec, Canada, slammed their government for not respecting their rights, particularly in matters involving caribou conservation.

On Monday afternoon, Ghislain Picard, the former Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), took aim at Quebec for flouting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Speaking at the UN, he accused the Quebec government of maintaining a "permanent judicial confrontation" with the Innu and denounced the province's disregard for the declaration.

In a speech during the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Mr. Picard lambasted the Quebec government's proposals and claimed that government representatives even dismiss the direct application of the UNDRIP to Canadian law.

Indigenous leaders, like Mr. Picard, emphasized the need for self-determination, protection of territories, and respectful consultations, which they argue continue to be ignored by Quebec. They highlighted the ongoing struggle for fundamental rights, especially concerning caribou protection, where forestry exploitation and government inaction are blamed for the decline in caribou populations.

A Call for Action at the UN

With their energy and resources drained by constant legal battles, Innu Nation called on the UN to ensure that Quebec and the whole of Canada uphold the UNDRIP in practice. Mr. Picard urged the UN to intervene and force an end to the Quebec government's disconnection from the declaration.

The current Grand Chief of the AFNQL, Francis Verreault-Paul, shared similar views and called for Quebec to emulate British Columbia's example. BC has implemented a law based on the UNDRIP principles, leading to a reduction in the adversarial relationship with Indigenous communities.

"Quebec needs to follow the path we have it set out," said Verreault-Paul, a young, ambitious leader determined to achieve meaningful change. He stressed the importance of legislative measures based on the UNDRIP principles to avoid repetitive legal confrontations.

The Agenda at the UNPFII

During Monday's parallel event at the 24th session of UNPFII, Quebec chiefs addressed issues pertaining to forestry reform, the nuclear waste burial project at Chalk River, and the Innu Nation's quest for caribou protection.

This mission led by Indigenous leaders has an essential goal – to send a clear international message to the governments of Quebec and Canada: "It's time to move beyond empty promises and fully implement the UNDRIP."

A New Era for Indigenous Leadership

Earlier in the day, the newly elected Grand Chief of the AFNQL, Francis Verreault-Paul, felt "very feverish." However, he faced the international delegates with determination, recognizing the significance of the moment. Replacing the long-time leader Ghislain Picard, he is keen to mobilize Indigenous communities and work towards a more promising future for their rights.

[1] UNDRIP: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

[4] UNDRIP Article 19 emphasizes the need for meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them.

Potential Solutions

To strengthen Quebec's implementation of the UNDRIP and enhance respect for Indigenous rights, consider the following strategies:

• Strengthen Consultation Processes: Implement a transparent, fair, and collaborative consultation process with Indigenous communities before making decisions that may affect them.
• Alignment with UNDRIP: Follow British Columbia's example and explicitly incorporate UNDRIP principles into Quebec's laws to ensure consistency and clarity in implementation.
• Collaborative Conservation Efforts: Involve Indigenous communities directly in caribou conservation initiatives, making use of traditional knowledge and expertise.
• Conflict Resolution: Establish effective mediation and dispute resolution processes to resolve conflicts and promote a collaborative relationship with Indigenous communities.

1. Indigenous leaders from Quebec went to the UN to express their frustrations about the Quebec government's disregard for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
2. Ghislain Picard, a former Grand Chief, criticized the Quebec government for maintaining a "permanent judicial confrontation" with the Innu and for not applying UNDRIP directly to Canadian law.
3. The Innu Nation called on the UN to ensure Quebec and Canada uphold the UNDRIP in practice, while urging the UN to intervene and force an end to the disconnection from the declaration.
4. Francis Verreault-Paul, the current Grand Chief of the AFNQL, urged Quebec to emulate British Columbia's example and to implement a law based on the UNDRIP principles to avoid constant legal confrontations.
5. Quebec chiefs addressed issues pertaining to forestry reform, the nuclear waste burial project at Chalk River, and the Innu Nation's quest for caribou protection during the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
6. The goal of this mission led by Indigenous leaders was to send a clear international message to the Quebec and Canadian governments, asking them to stop making empty promises and to fully implement the UNDRIP.
7. Francis Verreault-Paul, the newly elected Grand Chief, is eager to mobilize Indigenous communities and work towards a more promising future for their rights.
8. To strengthen Quebec's implementation of the UNDRIP and enhance respect for Indigenous rights, it's suggested to implement a transparent, fair, and collaborative consultation process with Indigenous communities, to explicitly align Quebec's laws with UNDRIP principles, and to involve Indigenous communities directly in conservation initiatives like caribou conservation, utilizing traditional knowledge and expertise.
9. The UNDRIP Article 19 emphasizes the importance of meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them.
10. Strengthening the consultation processes, aligning with UNDRIP, collaborative conservation efforts, and establishing effective mediation and dispute resolution processes can help resolve conflicts and promote a collaborative relationship with Indigenous communities.
11. Francois Blanchet, a Member of Parliament from the Bloc Quebecois, defended Quebec's actions and criticized the Indigenous leaders for speaking out against their own government at the UN.
12. Education and self-development, personal growth, mindfulness, productivity, and career development are essential skills for students and individuals seeking personal and professional advancement, just like learning about conflicts and crises such as war and conflicts, car-accidents, crimes and justice, and accidents and fires.
13. Online education platforms can provide access to educational resources and courses for individuals seeking lifelong learning and skills training, especially in areas like education-and-self-development, personal-growth, mindfulness, banking, real-estate, and sports like basketball, such as the WNBA, NBA, and NCAA basketball.
14. Goal-setting, lifelong learning, and skills training are vital for personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to advance in their careers and, ultimately, achieve success in their chosen fields.
15. Beyond political positions and policy-and-legislation, it's important to focus on equal opportunities, respect, and support for all people, fostering a positive and inclusive society, where everyone has the chance to achieve their goals and contribute to general-news categories such as health, entrepreneurship, and sports.

Read also: