A Lumby politician wants the community to take a stand in favour of indigenous rights.
Coun. Nick Hodge is urging his colleagues to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation.
“It’s a statement of values,” said Hodge, adding that the village has a strong relationship with the Splatsin and the Okanagan Indian Band.
“We do a good job but we need to acknowledge we have a role to play (in reconciliation).”
Hodge’s notice of motion has raised some concerns among one council member.
“It needs a lot more explanation than was provided to us,” said Mayor Kevin Acton.
Acton isn’t sure what the village will be committed to if it signs the declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.
“We want to make sure we do it right, and our partners are considered as well as our community,” he said.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a document that describes both individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples around the world.
“It offers guidance on co-operative relationships with indigenous peoples to states, the United Nations, and other international organizations based on the principles of equality, partnership, good faith and mutual respect. It addresses the rights of indigenous peoples on issues such as culture, identity, religion, language, health and education,” states the government of Canada, which has signed the document.
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