United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Implementation at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Over the past three years, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has been diligently developing relationships with Indigenous governments and organizations on a distinctions basis to build trust, learn, share information to support self-determination, and develop resilience.
CSIS is the only security intelligence agency in the world to have made commitments related to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration). The organization also leads on or participates in four measures outlined in the UN Declaration Act Action Plan under the Inuit, Métis and Shared Priorities chapters.
CSIS is committed to its measures and is accountable for their implementation. These measures were partially co-developed with Indigenous partners as part of the organization’s commitment to continue developing relationships with Indigenous governments and organizations.
Background
- The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) is about the respect and recognition of the human rights of Indigenous peoples. On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) received Royal Assent and came into force. This Act provides a roadmap for the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis to work together to implement the UN Declaration based on lasting reconciliation, healing and cooperative relations.
- On June 21, 2023, the UN Declaration Act Action Plan, developed in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis from across Canada, was released. The implementation of the Action Plan and the UN Declaration Act is coordinated by Justice Canada and will contribute to the Government of Canada’s continued efforts to break down barriers, combat systemic racism and discrimination, close socio-economic gaps, and promote greater equality and prosperity for Indigenous peoples.
- Implementation of the UN Declaration Act is a whole-of-government responsibility, and work with Indigenous partners and related to Indigenous priorities is an institution-wide commitment by CSIS. These commitments require all members of CSIS to respect the rights, jurisdictions, cultures, priorities and preferences, governance and decision-making systems of Indigenous peoples and the partner organizations who represent and advocate for them.
- CSIS is the only security intelligence agency in the world to have commitments related to the UN Declaration. UN Declaration Act Action Plan measures that CSIS leads and/or participates in are primarily, though not exclusively, related to national security information sharing.
CSIS Commitments
Shared priorities chapter - measure #64:
In order to protect the safety and security of First Nations, Inuit and Métis and their right and ability to exercise self-determination and self-governance in matters with a nexus to national security, Canada will share information to support decision-making. The information shared will be unclassified and/or classified when appropriate security clearances are in place.
Métis priorities chapter - measure #8:
The Government of Canada will take the following actions in consultation and cooperation with Métis: In order to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and resilience of Métis communities, co-develop measures to facilitate effective identification of and response to threats to Métis security, including, but not limited to:
- the provision of information to MNC [Métis National Council] and its Governing Members regarding threats to Métis security, including specific threats to communities and infrastructure
- the provision of national security-related information to MNC and its Governing Members that may impact Métis individuals and/or communities
- ensuring more accurate and effective identification of threats to Métis security
- supporting technical capacity to receive and respond to provided information and to ensure responses include the procedures and protocols of the Métis
- measures to protect the privacy and information of Métis citizens, including ensuring that no commitment or activity in this action plan measure requires MNC and its Governing Members to provide information relating to Métis citizens, governments and communities to the Government of Canada.
Inuit priorities chapter – measure #20:
In order to protect the safety and security of Inuit and their right and ability to exercise self-determination and self-governance in matters with a nexus to national security, Canada will share information with Inuit Treaty Organizations or their designates to support decision-making. The information shared will be unclassified and/or classified when appropriate security clearances are in place.
CSIS Shared Commitments with Government of Canada Partners
Shared priorities chapter – measure #14:
The Government of Canada will take the following measures in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples: Develop and implement foundational training co-created by Indigenous subject matter experts, including with the Canada School of Public Service, for federal public servants that will build fundamental understanding and competence about the history, rights and title of Indigenous peoples, treaties, the UN Declaration, the UN Declaration Act, the dynamics of respectful relations, Indigenous-specific systemic racism, and meaningful reconciliation. (Justice Canada and various departments)
Implementation Plan
- Implementation of the UN Declaration Act is about both changing our current approaches, and doing new work, to ensure alignment of activities across CSIS with the Act and our commitments therein. The Academic Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement (AOSE) team is the lead for UN Declaration Act implementation at CSIS, working closely with regional offices. AOSE is responsible for CSIS’ relationships with key Indigenous partners of national scope. CSIS regional offices engage with local and regional Indigenous organizations and governments.
- Through work performed by AOSE and regional offices, CSIS continues to expand its engagement with Indigenous governments and organizations, as well as with community leaders, members, and advocacy groups to offer support and solidarity, and to reinforce the position that there is no place in Canada for racial prejudice, discrimination, and hate. This is also supported by efforts by CSIS to recruit and retain Indigenous employees.
- AOSE facilitates co-developed priorities and activities as part of implementing these Action Plan measures, and participates in interdepartmental governance tables related to the UN Declaration Act. CSIS also contributes to whole-of-government exercises such as preparing the UN Declaration Act implementation annual reports and other related reporting.
- To date, CSIS has undertaken various activities in support of implementing the Act and our Action Plan commitments:
- Worked with the Métis Nation of British Columbia in 2023 to develop a training video for CSIS employees on the topic of Métis history, culture, and perspectives.
- Provided several briefings on threats and various security topics to Inuit partners since 2022.
- Engaged with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners on potential amendments to the CSIS Act in Fall 2023, which supported the passing of Bill C-70: An Act respecting countering foreign interference in June 2024.
- Developed a framework to guide our work and activities in the Arctic informed by our UN Declaration Act commitments in 2023.
- The implementation of measures in the Action Plan are the responsibility of the entire organization, and it is supported by many activities across CSIS. This includes the work of regional offices and the national headquarters.
- CSIS is conducting new and ongoing outreach to ensure that Action Plan measures are implemented jointly with Indigenous partners on a distinctions-basis. CSIS must earn and build trust with Canadians who may have negative perceptions of the organization. CSIS is committed to developing this trust through honest and respectful engagement
Further Information
For further information on UN Declaration Act implementation, please consult the Justice Canada website.
Federal public servants looking to expand their UN Declaration Act-related competencies, should consult the Canada School of Public Service website for various courses, job aids, and videos on this topic, some of which include collaborative efforts with Indigenous Peoples and partners.
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