Freda Huson arrest Unist'ot'en camp

Indigenous Rights

Indigenous Peoples in Canada are made up of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. There are more than 1.6 million Indigenous Peoples in Canada, representing 4.9 per cent of the population, according to 2016 census figures.

Through treaties and the Canadian Constitution Act, Canada has made significant promises to Indigenous Peoples in exchange for access to Indigenous land. The vast majority of natural resource decisions and development in Canada has been made in violation of these promises and, as a result, the government of Canada has promised to renew nation-to-nation relations with Indigenous Peoples.

By any measure the federal government and its provincial counterparts have much work to do. Critics have pointed out approvals of projects like the Site C dam and the Trans Mountain pipeline challenge Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which guarantees the right to “free, prior and informed consent.”

For weekly updates on our reporting, sign up for The Narwhal’s newsletter.

In my community of Moose Factory, the clean water crisis never really ends

Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. When I visited my reserve, Moose Factory,...

Continue reading
A popup that says "We need to protect our ... country, natural resources, climate, farmers, wildlife, rights, free press."
A popup that says "We need to protect our ... country, natural resources, climate, farmers, wildlife, rights, free press."
With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. Sign up now and receive a Narwhal tote bag as a gift of thanks! — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
A note from Tanya Talaga
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.
With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
A note from Tanya Talaga
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.