Realizing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Triumph, Hope, and Action

Adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 September 2007, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms the “minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.” The Declaration responds to past and ongoing injustices suffered by Indigenous peoples worldwide, and provides a strong foundation for the full recognition of the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. Despite this, Canada was one of the few countries to oppose the Declaration. With essays from Indigenous leaders, legal scholars and practitioners, state representatives, and representatives from NGOs, contributors discuss the creation of the Declaration and how it can be used to advance human rights internationally.

Jackie Hartley is a Policy and Research Officer with the Australian Human Rights Commission and holds a Master of Laws from the Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy Program, University of Arizona.

Paul Joffe is an attorney specializing in human rights and other issues relating to Indigenous peoples at the international and domestic level.

Jennifer Preston is the Program Coordinator for Aboriginal Affairs for the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers).

Contributors: Craig Benjamin, Andrea Carmen, Kenneth Deer, Phil Fontaine, Edward John (Akile Ch’oh), Wilton Littlechild, Les Malezer, Céleste McKay, Romeo Saganash, Connie Taracena, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.