A Subtle Revolution: What Lies Ahead for Indigenous Rights?

September 13, 2017 marks the 10 year anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), a document that Canada has endorsed and which the Trudeau government has promised to adopt and implement. The burning question looking forward is: what does implementation mean and what is required of federal, provincial and local government, political and social institutions, and civil society to make the UN Declaration a reality in Canada? Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot’s 2016 book, Global Indigenous Politics: A Subtle Revolution (Routledge), highlights the fundamental changes involved in Indigenous rights implementation and challenges both states and Indigenous peoples to re-formulate their relationship in accordance with its principles. Dr. Lightfoot and a distinguished panel of guests discuss her book and the implications of Indigenous rights implementation. Panelists include Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Dr. Priscilla Settee, Dr. Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark and Rachel Yacaaʔał George.