UNGA 72: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Apologizes to Indigenous Peoples in Speech

Canadian Prime Minister offered remarks aimed squarely at reconciling with the Indigenous peoples of the country.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau spoke to the United Nations General Assembly with a bilingual speech that explored, cautiously, the theme of the General Assembly while paying significant attention to its indigenous peoples. Trudeau quickly dispelled any charactization that Canada was “a wonderland” in an effort to show Canada is not resistant to the global problems that are facing so many states today. As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday, Trudeau used this time as an opportunity to reconcile with the long-neglected indigenous communities in Canada. Trudeau noted the significance of indigenous peoples in Canada, remarking:

“For First Nations, Metis Nation and Inuit peoples in Canada, those early colonial relationships were not about strength through diversity, or a celebration of our differences.

For Indigenous Peoples in Canada, the experience was mostly one of humiliation, neglect, and abuse.”

This comes amid mounting accusations that the Canadian government is unconcerned with the rights and dignity of the indigenous people. “Regrettably, [Canada is] a country that came into being without the meaningful participation of those who were [here] first.” The speech quickly became an acknowledgement of the offenses in reference to Canada’s treatment of indigenous peoples.

Trudeau recognized Canada’s mishandling of the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada actively campaigned against 10 years ago and is now working to repair. According to the PM, they are now a “full supporter” of the Declaration: “In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, we’re moving ahead with a thorough review of federal laws, policies, and operational practices, to get our house in order.”

Trudeau seems serious: “We are dismantling the old colonial bureaucratic structures and creating a new Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, led by Dr. Carolyn Bennett, an experienced and effective advocate for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.” In other words, Canada is finally seriously considering the original stewards of their land. The new agreements, departments, and laws reconcile and recognize the power and authority of the First Nations.

This investment in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, and 8 in Canada in the interest of offering indigenous people good health, sound community, well paying job, quality education, safe and affordable housing.”

During a press conference, Trudeau was immediately asked why the speech was so domestically focused and, frankly, niche. According to Trudeau, it was a need to address the “beam in our own eye”, regarding Canada’s tendency to advocate for human rights while still maintaining a blindness to their own “human rights crisis.”

The consortium of programs is all part of fulfilling a responsibility to return some degree of autonomy to indigenous peoples. It is an uncharted path, new for Canada, but not unusual on the global scale.

“Listening learning and working together. It’s not just about righting historical wrongs.”

Further in the speech, Trudeau discussed Canada’s uniquely northern position and how climate change is strikingly real: icecaps are melting, ice shelves eroding, and weather patterns are changing dramatically. The PM voiced that a tariff in carbon pollution is “the best way” protect the environment and enhance the economy. The ice, the shelves, the waters are all part of Canada’s territory and Canada reinforced its position on the value of the Paris Agreement, which is regard to global climate change. During a press conference, Trudeau reinforced Canada’s interest in global concerns, speaking at length about the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar as well as the North Korea nuclear testing exercises. “The situation is extremely serious, it’s a threat to global peace.”