Indigenous Rights

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) as part of the Government of Canada is committed to the intent to take effective action, at home and abroad, to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples based on our existing international and domestic human rights obligations and commitments.

Protecting Indigenous Rights

Canada has considerable experience in advancing and protecting the rights of indigenous people. Aboriginal and treaty rights are specifically protected in our Constitution. They are also safeguarded under numerous self-government and land claims agreements, federal legislation and through judicial decisions going as high as the Supreme Court of Canada.

INAC continues to work to ensure the continued participation of Indigenous peoples within the international human rights system.

United Nations Declaration

Find more information on this UN initiative related to the rights of indigenous people:

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples