UNDRIP 15 years on: Genuine truth and reconciliation requires legislative reform: On Sept. 30 Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
for the second time since the federal government made it a statutory
holiday. As Canada struggles to come to terms with colonialism and its
ongoing legacies, we must also talk about what needs to be done to bring
about meaningful change in the future.

This September also marked the anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Fifteen years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the declaration that
serves as the global minimum standard “for the survival, dignity and
well-being” of all Indigenous Peoples.

After initial resistance, Canada is now positioned to be a world leader in putting these standards into practice.

Nonetheless, much work still needs to be done to meet the minimum standards of the UN Declaration and to live up to its spirit and intent.