The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade; and the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), alongside the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs; and the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, issued the following statement today:
"The United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is a call to action for global partners to protect and advance Indigenous rights here in Canada and around the world.
"This year's theme for the day-Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures-reminds us that amid rapid global technological advancements, meaningful inclusion is important, and respectful collaboration with Indigenous Peoples is our goal every step of the way.
"That's why we are working with partners at home and abroad, including Canada's Indigenous Working Group on Trade Policy and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to advance Indigenous rights, open up new economic opportunities and break down barriers to global trade participation. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples guides our path forward in this work. It shapes how we grow and diversify the economy, develop resources and build partnerships that respect Indigenous rights and benefit everyone.
"By respecting and supporting Indigenous rights and leadership, we can build a future that is fair, inclusive and informed by many ways of knowing. As we mark this day with our partners around the world, we acknowledge that a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples."
