(Ottawa, ON) April 08, 2022 –

The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) commends the Government of British Columbia (BC) for their committed and sustained efforts to ensure their province has fully implemented the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). UNDRIP is an international document that works to ensure that Indigenous rights, including those surrounding culture, language, land-use, and self-governance, are protected. In 2019, BC became the first jurisdiction in Canada to legislate UNDRIP, with their Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. However, this historic decision was subsequently tainted by criticisms that the Government had failed to truly honour the spirit of UNDRIP, including through their handling of pipeline protests. In response, this past month, the BC Government announced its 5-year Declaration Act Action Plan, which strives to ensure that UNDRIP is upheld and supported across the province.

The LHF is pleased that the BC Government continues to build upon their landmark efforts to secure a better future for Indigenous Peoples across the province. By safeguarding UNDRIP, a document that recognizes and advances Indigenous rights, the government is also supporting Reconciliation and the establishment of a true Nation-to-Nation relationship. Notably, these efforts also align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 43rd and 44th Calls to Action, which call upon the Canadian Government to adopt and implement UNDRIP as part of their Reconciliation framework, and to create a national action plan to meet the objectives of UNDRIP, respectively.

“What the BC Government has done and continues to do with regards to implementing the UNDRIP is a historic step within Canada. Integrating the UNDRIP into the legal system will assist with decolonization efforts and create more opportunities, programs, policies and legislation that will support equitable outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. We are hopeful that this important step inspires the rest of Canada to follow suit and paves the way for all jurisdictions within Canada to commit to Reconciliation and the protection of Indigenous rights in a similar way,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at the LHF.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 22 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Sixties Scoop on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage people to address discrimination and injustices in order to contribute to the equality, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation.

The LHF has more than 25 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow and is currently working on making exhibitions available online. LHF also has curriculum for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training, Podcasts, all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, etc. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism against Indigenous Peoples.

For media inquiries:
Teresa Edwards, B.A. JD.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Phone: 613-237-4806 Ext. 303 info@legacyofhope.ca