Human Rights Council Twenty-seventh session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya
Addendum
The situation of indigenous peoples in Canada*
Summary
[p.1]
In this report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples examines the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Canada based on research and information gathered from various sources, including during a visit to Canada from 7 to 15 October 2013. The visit was a follow up to the 2004 visit to and report on Canada by the previous Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2005/88/Add.3). During his visit, the Special Rapporteur met with government officials at the federal and provincial levels in six provinces.
Canada’s relationship with the indigenous peoples within its borders is governed by
a well-developed legal framework a number of policy initiaties that in many respects are
protective of indigenous peoples’ rights. But despite positive steps, daunting challenges
remain. The numerous initiatives that have been taken at the federal and
provincial/territorial levels to address the problems faced by indigenous peoples have been
insufficient. The well-being gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in Canada
has not narrowed over the last several years, treaty and aboriginals claims remain
persistently unresolved, indigenous women and girls remain vulnerable to abuse, and
overall there appear to be high levels of distrust among indigenous peoples toward
government at both the federal and provincial levels.
[p.2]
Indigenous peoples’ concerns merit higher priority at all levels and within all branches of Government, and across all departments. Concerted measures, based on mutual understanding and real partnership with aboriginal peoples, through their own representative institutions, are vital to establishing long-term solutions. To that end, it is necessary for Canada to arrive at a common understanding with indigenous peoples of objectives and goals that are based on full respect for their constitutional, treaty, and internationally-recognized rights.
* The summary of the present report is circulated in all official languages. The report itself, which is annexed to the summary, is circulated in the language of submission only.
