In Episode 96 of the Warrior Life Podcast, we talk to two leading Indigenous legal experts about Bill C-15 - the federal legislation intended to create a National Action Plan to ensure Canada's laws are compliant with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Professor Brenda Gunn and the Honourable Murray Sinclair help us understand the human rights protections contained in UNDRIP and they address the many concerns and misconceptions related to Bill C-15.

The Honourable Dr. Sinclair is Anishinabe whose list of accomplishments is very long as he has worked as a lawyer and professor; associate chief judge of the provincial court of Manitoba; co-commissioner on the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba; Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada; Senator; and now works at the law firm of Cochrane Saxberg.

Professor Brenda Gunn is Metis lawyer and professor at UofM law, who is a well-known expert on international law and done a significant amount of international human rights work including: research to promote greater conformity between international laws protecting Indigenous rights and domestic laws; community legal aid clinic in Guatemala on a case of genocide submitted to the IACHR; provides technical assistance to the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; AND she wrote a handbook about understanding and implementing UNDRIP.

Here is the original YouTube video version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuWtRmGIrro

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:

https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.

Bill C-15 An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:

https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=11007812

Understanding and Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:

https://www.indigenousbar.ca/pdf/undrip_handbook.pdf

We've featured other Indigenous voices, including those who actively worked on UNDRIP in its early stages:

Ellen Gabriel Kanienʼkehá꞉ka grassroots warrior and Onkwehón:we rights activist

https://www.soundcloud.com/pampalmater/ellen-gabriel-on-undrip-bill-c-1

Former NDP MP Romeo Saganash (Cree from Waswanipi)

https://www.soundcloud.com/pampalmater/romeo-saganash-on-his-political-career

The Honourable Graydon Nicholas (Wolastoqey from Neqotkuk [Tobique First Nation] )

Part 1:

https://www.soundcloud.com/pampalmater/honourable-graydon-nicholas-shares-his-journey-part-1

Part 2:

https://www.soundcloud.com/pampalmater/honourable-graydon-nicholas-shares-his-journey-part-2

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Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video should not be misconstrued as legal, financial or medical advice, nor should it be relied on as such. This podcast/video represents fair political comment.

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https://www.pampalmater.com

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https://www.fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/warrior-life

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