Voices on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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Developed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth from across Canada who participated in the language of their choice, this video promotes their perspectives on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Transcript

Our Rights – Indigenous Youth on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Developed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth from across Canada who participated in the language of their choice, this video promotes their perspectives on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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What is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?

Genevieve Benoit

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or the Declaration, is an international human rights instrument that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September of 2007.

Ryder Cote

In order to move forward, you need to know where you stand on North American Indian land, known as Turtle Island, or known as the North American continent.

Kyra De La Ronde

Is the first step Canada can take in truly recognizing who I am as a Métis woman.

Crystal Martin-Lapenskie

UNDRIP affirms the rights of Indigenous peoples to create and manage their own affairs, whether this is in the education system, healthcare, or justice. This also includes to preserve, promote and protect Indigenous lands, waters, traditions, cultures and languages.

Ryder Cote

It is an instrument used to protect the ancestral inherent birth rights of Indigenous people around the world.

Sabrina Muise

It's a tool that we can use to fight for everything that matters and everything we keep praying for.

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Why is it important to me?

Alyssa Thomas

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will empower the future generations of all Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Nadia Mundell

As a young Métis woman and mother, UNDRIP means that I have the right to be proud of my culture and the responsibility of teaching my son what it means to be Métis for future generations to carry on.

Elise Brass

The Declaration is important to me because I want future Indigenous youth to feel pride where they come from and celebrated in all their culture. My vision for Canada in the next seven generations is a world where Indigenous people can walk down the street and not be discriminated against or racially profiled.

Crystal Martin-Lapenskie

UNDRIP means a safe and inclusive environment for our children today and tomorrow.

Kyra De La Ronde

For over 150 years, the government of Canada has denied my rights and existence as an Indigenous person.

Sabrina Muise

I see UNDRIP as a tool that we can use to help empower our people, a tool for us to fight for our rights, and a tool to aid in the struggle to get land back, water back, community back, traditional governments back, language back, culture back.

Justen Peters

From returning our ownership to the land, we can rebuild with modern tools and ancient knowledge, and build a better world for our youth, our languages, our cultures and our people.

Ryder Cote

[Anishinaabemowin] In order to move forward, you need to know where you stand on North American Indian land, known as Turtle Island, or known as the North American continent.

Polsia Carrozza

For me as a Métis woman, UNDRIP and its implementation in Canada will act as an added layer of protection for my community, which has been historically forgotten. My message for Métis youth is that we have a responsibility to use UNDRIP and educate others about it so we can ensure that our rights to self-determination are made real.

Sabrina Muise

Our people have fought for and achieved so many beautiful things without this tool. I can’t wait to see what we can do with it. [Mi’kmaw] Msit No’kmaq. All my relations.

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