The enduring struggle of indigenous peoples for international recognition

First diplomatic missions to imperial authorities.

1923-24  Chief Deskaheh Calls Upon the League of Nations.

1945  The Iroquois Confederacy attempts to be heard at the San Francisco Conference (creation of the UN).

1960  Adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Resolutions 1514 and 1541) by the UN General Assembly. Adoption of anti-colonial measures. The second resolution, however, restricts their use to overseas territories.

1971  Study by Hernan Santa Cruz: Racial discrimination. Special study of racial discrimination in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. Noting serious shortcomings with regard to indigenous populations, the study recommends a comprehensive examination of the issue.

1972  Launch of Martinez Cobo’s study on discrimination against indigenous populations. Comprehensive study conducted between 1972 and 1984.

1977  International NGO Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations in the Americas.

1982  Creation of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

1987 Submission of the final report of the study by José R. Martinez Cobo, Study of the Problem of Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations. Volume 5, Conclusions, proposals and recommendations.

1988  The Working Group on Indigenous Populations submits the first complete draft of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

1989 The ILO adopts Convention 169, the Convention Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries.

1993   International Year of the World’s Indigenous People. Rigoberta Menchu receives the Nobel Peace Prize.

1994   The Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights approves the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

2000 Creation of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

2001  Creation of the position of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples.

2006  Adoption of the draft Declaration by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

2007  Adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the United Nations General Assembly.

2010  The Government of Canada officially endorses the Declaration “fully consistent with Canada’s Constitution and laws”.

2021  The government of Canada adopts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which requires that federal laws be consistent with the Declaration.