The role of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is still a live issue before Canada’s top courts.
But that hasn’t stopped the Kebaowek First Nation from flexing its rights under UNDRIP and its principle of “free, prior and informed consent” (FPIC).
In a submission to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Kebaowek says that as part of the broader Algonquin Nation, it has never ceded its rights to its traditional territories in the Ottawa Valley, and has never granted its FPIC for the “nuclear facilities, activities and projects” at the Chalk River labs.
Kebaowek says that last November, it ratified a “Rights & Responsibilities Assessment Law” which provides a “structured process through which the Crown and proponents (like CNL) may obtain KFN’s FPIC for physical projects and legislative proposals.”
“The Rights & Responsibilities Law incorporates the standards of UNDRIP and is grounded in Anishinaabe laws, knowledge, and processes.
“We require CNSC and the proponents it regulates to adhere to the Rights & Responsibilities Assessment Law and to meet or exceed the standards set out in UNDRIP,” Kebaowek says.
Kebaowek’s comments are included in a submission regarding the latest “Regulatory Oversight Report” (ROR) on CNL’s activities for 2024.
The CNSC will hold a hearing on the report during meetings in Gatineau March 24-26…
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