British Columbia’s Historic
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
On October 24, 2019, British Columbia unveiled Bill 41, legislation intended to harmonize its laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), making it the first province to do so since Canada endorsed the UN declaration in 2016. The Bill went through committee and passed third reading on November 26 and will receive Royal Assent on November 28 at 11:30 am.
Developed in collaboration with the First Nations Leadership Council at the direction of First Nations, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act creates a framework for reconciliation in B.C., in keeping with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
BC is the Canada’s first province to put the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into law. The new law will recognize and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. It will create a clear process to make sure Indigenous peoples are a part of the decisions that affect them, their communities, and their territories - and it provides a path forward for everyone.
The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of leadership from the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on all governments in Canada to fully adopt and implement the UN Declaration as a framework for reconciliation.
The UN Declaration is a universal human rights instrument that includes 46 articles outlining the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous peoples throughout the world. It has the support of 148 countries.