On January 29, The Canadian Council of Churches General Secretary Peter Noteboom participated in a meeting of church leaders and representatives with The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice.
They asked questions about Bill C-15, the legislation that has been tabled to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Since 2015 The Canadian Council of Churches has publicly supported the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.
The Commission on Justice and Peace has prioritized Indigenous Rights in Canada and is currently in dialogue about the merits of the Bill.
As the government of Canada moves forward on legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), there are opportunities to learn more.
On February 18, 2021, at 7:00 pm (Eastern) there will be a learning event “Canada, the churches, and Bill C-15,” sponsored by “Faith in the Declaration: A coalition of faith houses and organizations in support of UN Declaration in the Rights of Indigenous Peoples legislation.”
The event will include conversation on why The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples legislation is important to Canadian churches, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. A panel of experts will describe Bill C-15, the legislation the government of Canada is introducing to implement UNDRIP, and explore the support and opposition to the Bill.
- Panel Moderator: Archbishop Mark MacDonald: National Anglican Indigenous Bishop and WCC North American Vice-President
- Chief Wilton (Willie) Littlechild, A Cree lawyer, former member of Parliament and former Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, former member of Parliament, and Commissioner to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Professor Sheryl Lightfoot, Canada Research Chair in Global Indigenous Rights and Politics, UBC Associate Professor: First Nations and Indigenous Studies and Political Science
- Ellen Gabriel, Mohawk activist and artist from Kanehsatà:ke Nation – Turtle Clan, spokesperson chosen by the People of the Longhouse during the Oka Crisis
This event will be in English with French simultaneous translation. Register here.