..from an email
Did you know that Canada still has not fully adopted and implemented the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? Despite the federal government’s endorsement at the United Nations, there is still work to be done here on the ground.
In April of 2016, NDP MP Romeo Saganash (Abitibi-Baie James-Nunavik-Eeyou) tabled bill C-262, An Act to Ensure the Laws of Canada Respect the UN Declaration. Since then he has completed a grassroots tour that took him into dozens of communities, First Nations, traditional territories and homelands. He has also advocated for the rights of Indigneous Peoples to unions, business, church groups, and various levels of government. This is work he has been doing for 40 years.
The first hour for second reading of C-262 has been scheduled for DECEMBER 4, 2017 in the House of Commons. The decades of work of hundreds of Indigenous folks will be front and center in the discussions of the Government of Canada.
Did you know that today, October 28, is also Romeo’s birthday? To celebrate we are asking that you give him a little birthday present; something that will only take a few minutes of your time. You ask yourself, what on earth could I give this person I hardly know? Here are some suggestions:
- If you haven’t, sign the petition and share the link on your social media to encourage others: www.adoptandimplement.com
- Write a letter (on organization letterhead if applicable) to your MP asking them to vote in favour of bill C-262 when the vote happens early next spring. Here is a great template: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/adoptandimplement/pages/57/attachments/original/1509199557/Support_letter.docx?1509199557
- Organize an event in your community to raise awareness! Some successful activities have been street parties(https://www.facebook.com/cptips/posts/1223881381049726) and C-262 cookie giveaways (https://www.facebook.com/steve.heinrichs.756/posts/1923217481264701). Make sure to tell us about your event so we can help promote it!
- Host the Blanket Exercise at your organization complete with a C-262 petition signing. Send the petitions to Romeo’s office in Ottawa: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/adoptandimplement/pages/57/attachments/original/1473707429/C262_Printable_Petition_-_English.pdf?1473707429
- Tell the PM Trudeau, and Ministers Bennett and Wilson-Raybould why C-262 is a human rights priority. Here’s some info on what legislation will accomplish: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/adoptandimplement/pages/57/attachments/original/1473707403/Need_for_a_Principled_Legislative_Framework.pdf?1473707403
Our heartfelt thanks for all the work you are doing to raise awareness. With your help MPs and Senators are expressing their intent to support the C-262 and people all over are talking about the human rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Meegwetch!
Adopt and Implement
http://www.adoptandimplement.com/