Alberta Party releases position paper on Indigenous Rights

(April 2019) – The Alberta Party recently unveiled a number of position papers that describe their platform for the Alberta 2019 Election. Their position paper on Indigenous Rights appears below: 

The Alberta Party has extensively consulted with residents of Alberta from all walks of life to develop policy ideas which can benefit everyone.  Many of these have included Alberta’s Indigenous people. It is estimated that there are 258,640 Indigenous people in Alberta with an average age of 26.9. In our discussions with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people several themes were consistently raised:

The Alberta Party recognizes the spirit and the intent of the Treaties entered into between the Crown and the First Nations.

The Alberta Party acknowledges and supports the inherent right to Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples and commits to supporting them in building their Nations.

The Alberta Party commits to work with Indigenous communities at every stage to develop a path forward to fulfill and realize the intent of UNDRIP. (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)

The Alberta Party will enter into a mutually agreed upon process with First Nations, Metis and Inuit to address issues and the 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Alberta Party will enter into a mutually agreed upon process with First Nations, Metis and Inuit to address issues and recommendations from the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Inquiry.

The Alberta Party, recognizes that chronic under-funding of First Nations, Metis and Inuit, communities has affected educational outcomes of students. The Alberta Party will enter into a mutually agreed upon process to address the on-reserve and on-settlement Education funding gap. This can be accomplished by ensuring that Jordan’s Principle is also applied to Education.

The Alberta Party recognizes the importance of traditional languages and culture for First Nations, Metis and Inuit. An Alberta Party-led government would reinforce these by entering into a mutually agreed upon process to strengthen these important pillars within the communities.

The Alberta Party will work with First Nations, Metis and Inuit to improve access to healthcare.  An Alberta Party-led government recognizes that our society faces increasing medical and social challenges which have long-term consequences and must be addressed in a way that is holistic and culturally appropriate.

The Alberta Party will work with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities to develop a culturally appropriate strategy for senior care.

The Alberta Party commits to work with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities to transition jurisdiction of Children and Family Services from the Province to local indigenous authorities.

The Alberta Party, in collaboration with First Nations, Metis, Inuit and the Federal Government, will work to find solutions to Alberta’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit challenges in housing and community infrastructure.

The Alberta Party recognizes that economic development provides the foundation for long term sustainability of all First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities.  An Alberta Party-led Government will work with First Nations, Metis and Inuit to reduce barriers to business, facilitate economic growth, explore equity ownership in projects/pipelines and revenue sharing.

The Alberta Party will honour and respect traditional hunting, fishing and harvesting rights, as a Section 35 right all Indigenous peoples will be treated equally.

 This is about partnerships and we look forward to receiving your continued advice and direction in further developing policies which are relevant to First Nations, Metis and Inuit for the coming decades within the spirit and intent of this position paper.