Canadian Tribute to Human Rights Dedication Ceremony, Ottawa

Canadian Tribute to Human Rights
June 21, 2010

Unukuut. Good afternoon. Bon après-midi.

Your Excellency, elders. It is with great joy that I join you here today.

It is significant that on this day to honour aboriginal cultures – the summer solstice, the longest day of the year – we gather here at this monument to human rights to celebrate aboriginal languages.

In recognition of that celebration, I will speak to you in English and Inuktitut.

(Inuktitut)

I would like to thank Sally Webster for lighting the qulliq today. Sally’s mother Rhoda attended the unveiling of this monument many years ago.

Sally’s presence here today represents the passing down of knowledge from one generation to the next.

It represents the continued Inuit presence in the House of Canada.

And that presence is particularly significant during this Year of the Inuit, as we celebrate our culture and traditions.

And our contributions to Canada.

PAUSE

In the spirit of those celebrations, I have been asked to read the Inuktitut plaque for you today.

In English, these words mean Equality, Dignity, Rights.

In Inuktitut, they are Atjigiikniq, Ukpigijiuniq, Pijinnautiqarniq.

Atjigiikniq: We are all equal. We have comparable cultures with common practices.

Upigijiuniq: To be proud.

Pijinnautiqarniq: To belong, and to receive the benefits of belonging.

In the Inuvialuktun dialect, also represented on this monument, the words are Atjikiiniq, Upigijauniq, Ajunginiq.

(Inuktitut)

This monument pays respect to the fundamental rights of all Canadians.

Rights that are defined in key documents, including the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

And during the Speech from the Throne earlier this year, Your Excellency, you informed us that the Government of Canada is now prepared to offer its support to another key document, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Declaration demands that all countries of the world aim to do a better and more ambitious job in respecting the rights and advancing the well being of indigenous peoples.

Implementation of this instrument of human rights – this standard of achievement – requires that we consider how Canada’s laws, policies and practices might be reformed to build respect, confidence and mutual advantage between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal citizens of our Confederation.

(Inuktitut)

This granite monument behind us is inscribed with the first words of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples says this:

Indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples. And it is the right of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such.

Indigenous peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations, which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information.

It is our differences that contribute to the diversity and richness of civilizations and cultures.

(Inuktitut)

My aboriginal colleagues and I drafted those words with a vision for the future. For our children. And their children.

So that we could pass down our knowledge and practice our cultures in gatherings such as these.

And so that we may all learn from each other and treat each other with respect. In recognition of our basic equality, dignity and rights.

I look forward to the day when we return to this monument to celebrate the Government of Canada’s recognition of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

With your continued support, Your Excellency, I know it won’t be long.

Nakurmiik. Thank you. Merci.