Gov. Gen. Mary Simon addresses United Nations forum on Indigenous rights

Simon, who did not address that conflict Monday, said that as UNDRIP nears its 20th anniversary, “we must ensure that Indigenous voices have their own seat at the table within the United Nations.”

Simon is set to meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres later Monday.

As the forum opened Monday, Guterres said the UN forum on Indigenous issues has “made significant gains” on combating injustices against Indigenous Peoples.

He called the theme of Monday’s session — defending the health Indigenous Peoples — “a pivotal one.”

“For Indigenous Peoples, health is inseparable from your lands, waters, languages, cultures and ecosystems. When one is harmed, all are affected,” he said.

He called on all member states to honour their commitments to UNDRIP and to embed the rights of Indigenous Peoples in their laws and policies.

“And it means ensuring the free, prior and informed consent for actions affecting their lands, territories and resources,” he said.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is also attending the forum.

She told The Canadian Press ahead of her trip that she stands in “absolute solidarity” with First Nations as they oppose moves by the provincial government in British Columbia to weaken its version of the declaration.

She added that Ottawa and the province cannot claim to uphold the rule of law while they seek to water down Indigenous rights.

“The inherent pre-existing rights of First Nations are part of, and are protected by, international human rights law. They cannot be suspended, amended or paused,” she said in a statement to The Canadian Press.

“The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms First Nations rights as human rights. Neither Canada nor British Columbia can extinguish, amend or suspend First Nations’ human rights and remain a respected member of the international community.”

British Columbia’s “DRIPA” law is based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which requires free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples on matters affecting their rights, lands, territories and resources.

The federal government also has adopted the UN principle and is working toward its implementation, though its position is that it does not constitute a veto on development.

Eby has said the province needs to work with First Nations to amend or suspend the legislation after two court decisions that cited the law recently sided with First Nations on mining and property rights.

On Sunday, Eby backed down again on pausing key parts of the legislation, scrapping plans to table a suspension bill during this legislative session. His office said he would hold a press conference Monday to outline next steps.

His government tried to amend the legislation this year but the plan was met with widespread backlash from First Nations leaders. His government then moved to suspend parts of DRIPA to shield itself from court challenges, a move which also was rejected by First Nations and some of his own MLAs.

The premier previously staked his government, which holds only a single-seat majority, on passing the suspension by making it a confidence vote. But the government said last week it would not hold a confidence vote on the legislation — averting a possible election call — after Indigenous member Joan Phillip told her own government she would not vote for the changes.

A draft document provided by a First Nations source says the government hopes to work with First Nations to come up with a joint approach to DRIPA, under a framework for negotiations.

“First Nations across British Columbia reject any attempt to dilute, amend, repeal or suspend DRIPA. Free, prior and informed consent are not barriers to development but rather the conditions that enable it to proceed in a sustainable way over generations,” British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee has said.

“Our rights are not negotiable. They are essential for reconciliation, justice and a shared future. The path forward is through partnership and respect, not fearmongering and betrayal.”

Woodhouse Nepinak said Eby’s moves have been contrary to DRIPA itself and called them “a huge step backwards for human rights and for reconciliation in Canada.”

“Many First Nations in British Columbia supported Premier Eby because of his stand on human rights and DRIPA,” Woodhouse Nepinak said.

“It is sad to see him abandon those values and First Nations. We fully support Regional Chief Teegee and First Nations leadership in the region in exploring every option to oppose this regressive move.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2026.

— With files from Wolfgang Depner in Victoria, B.C.

by Alessia Passafiume, Canadian Press

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon addresses United Nations forum on Indigenous rights

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