2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada
Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies
G21-P037 Indigenous Peoples’ Collective Control and Veto Over Resource Projects and Endeavours Impacting Their Traditional Lands and Territories *
* VGM-2 Amended Version
Submitter Name
James Plewak
Proposal
This is the amended proposal adopted by GPC membership at the VGM-2.
In keeping with UNDRIP’s requirement of “free, informed and prior consent”, the 1763 Royal Proclamation recognizing special collective Indigenous Rights to self-determination, and G18-P002, Canada must legally recognize that Indigenous Peoples have collective rights, including in their traditional governance systems, to say no to resource projects and any endeavor that impacts their health, culture and wellbeing on their traditional lands and territories.
Objective
To recognize Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty, title and effective control over their lands, territories and natural resources.
Benefit
This policy will enable Indigenous Peoples to control their own socio-economic development, thereby making Canada a more just and equitable society and will aid environmental protection.
Supporting Comments from Submitter
UNDRIP – United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.
Royal Proclamation 1763.
G18-P002 Constitutional Respect for Indigenous and Treaty Rights: The GPC supports the amendment of the Constitution of Canada to ensure that it is consistent with the recognition and protection of indigenous and treaty rights at all levels of government.
Joint Recommendations by the Indigenous Nations appearing before the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Committee of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) August 13, 2017, and resolution of support by Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly 25 July 2019 Resolution 32/2019.
Boreal Leadership Council report of September 2015 titled "Understanding Successful Approaches to Free, Prior and Informed Consent in Canada. Part I" and "Free, Prior and Informed Consent in Canada" published September 2012.
Green Value(s)
Ecological Wisdom, Sustainability, Participatory Democracy, Social Justice, Respect for Diversity, Non-Violence.
Relation to Existing Policy
Add to current GPC policy.
Report inappropriate content
Is this content inappropriate?
6 comments
I this putting the cart before the horse? Can Indigenous leaders advise us of ways GPC might better support a dissolution of the Indian Act so that small reserves and hereditary territories can be made the way the Nations want them and so that the other governments work more collaboratively with them?
Conversation with Neil
Given that Indigenous Peoples' "Traditional Lands and Territories" encompass pretty much all of Canada, this gives them veto over _every_ resource project.
"Traditional Lands and Territories" and "resource project" both need to be defined. In the case of "Traditional Lands and Territories" a map needs to be included.
As is, it has the potential to end up as a shakedown every time a tree gets cut down or a fish caught, let alone a dam, pipeline, road, rail line etc. gets proposed.
What about farming? Is that a resource project?
30% of Canada's GDP comes from rural areas, and again, most likely all of it is on "Traditional Lands and Territories."
Conversation with Shel Goldstein
“ Proposal:
In keeping with UNDRIP’s requirement of “free, informed and prior consent”, the 1763 Royal Proclamation recognizing special collective Indigenous Rights to self-determination,” - is that the correct date for the Proclamation, 1763 ?
Yes, it is correct. For further info, here's one site:
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1370355181092/1607905122267
Neil's concerns are not frivolous. This proposal, like many others, is an expression of members' desire for justice; the obstacles are real but they must be addressed, not accepted as impasses.
Add your comment
Sign in with your account or sign up to add your comment.
Loading comments ...