The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)  is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.

The Diocese of Victoria, along with Catholic Bishops, institutes of consecrated life, societies of apostolic life and other Catholic organizations in Canada, support this Declaration and believe that its spirit can point a way forward to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Further, the Holy See’s office that participates in the United Nations – the Holy See Permanent Observer to the UN – has explicitly endorsed this Declaration on numerous occasions.

To learn more about UNDRIP and to read the Declaration, please visit https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html.

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