NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA, April 17, 2024 – A delegation from the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC), led by President Todd Russell, is attending the 23rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as an Indigenous Peoples Organization in New York City this week. The forum is being held at the United Nations Headquarters from April 15-26, 2024. This is the first time that NCC is attending since being granted Special Consultive Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN.
This forum is a high level advisory body to the UN’s Economic and Social Council to deal with Indigenous issues all over the world related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. This year’s special theme is “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”
It is the fifth time that NCC has attended this important forum to represent and tell the story of the Inuit of NunatuKavut. NCC is hosting its own separate event today on youth perspectives on self-determination: Inuit drum dancing.
While in attendance, President Russell issued the following statement, entitled “A Call for the Just Implementation of UNDRIP in Canada.”
“Nakummek – thank you Madame Chair. Ullukut. Good day. My name is Todd Russell. I am President of the NunatuKavut Community Council, which represents the Inuit of NunatuKavut. NunatuKavut is the traditional territory of my people, in northeastern Canada.
I respectfully acknowledge we are on the lands of the Lenape.And, I acknowledge the presence of diverse Indigenous nations represented here today.
The Inuit of NunatuKavut have a deep sense of belonging to our ancestral places and our identity is tied to our lands, waters and ice.We have experienced the lasting impacts of colonization on our language, culture, knowledge systems, education and way of life. Our governance system and values have been undermined.
We are now faced with the rapidly changing impacts of climate change and pressures like food and heat insecurities, housing shortages and health access inequities are becoming more serious and critical.This, despite the adoption of UNDRIP.
Instead of advancing the relationship between Indigenous nations and states and uniting us as nations, UNDRIP implementation in Canada is supporting existing colonial architecture and policy. It is being implemented in a fashion where Canada is still the arbiter of Indigenous identity and rights.
Canadian policies and legislation have historically been about the assimilation and erasure of Indigenous peoples. About control over Indigenous lands, resources and lives.
At a time when our very existence is threatened by climate change, there is much discord in Canada amongst many nations. This is resulting in increased discrimination and lateral violence.
There are campaigns that are using Canada’s distinctions-based approach to further colonial policies. My own people have been the target of violent misinformation campaigns that try to undermine our very existence.
What is so worrisome is that these campaigns are being led by some Indigenous organizations and the harm is disproportionate to our women, youth and our most vulnerable, like former residential school students and their families.
I am immensely proud of my people, especially our women and youth, for pushing back against this lateral violence in all its forms. Their voices are critical.
We say to Canada, honour your treaties, your modern agreements and the commitments you have made. Cease the politics of divide and conquer.
We call upon you to implement the commitments laid out in UNDRIP and your own law with fairness and integrity, including those made to NunatuKavut Inuit.
To those Indigenous organizations complicit with government, there is space for all our peoples to be treated with respect. There is a place for all of us to give free expression to who we are. To be self-determining on our own lands.
And we all work together for a peaceful and just future.
It is always the right time to do what is right.
Nakummek.”
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About: The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) is a governing organization that represents Inuit who come from south and central Labrador. NCC is committed to advocating for section 35 rights, interests, and priorities of NunatuKavut Inuit. Rooted in the rich traditions and culture of NunatuKavut Inuit, NCC works diligently towards self-government and self-determination, while fostering community growth and sustainability.
To learn more about NCC and NunatuKavut Inuit, please visit our website at www.nunatukavut.ca and we invite you to check out our new Story Map page which helps tell our story. Please also join in the conversation at facebook.com/nunatukavut, X/Twitter @nunatukavut and Instagram @nunatukavutinuit.
NCC Media Contact:
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer
T. 709-280-5965
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca