Human Rights and Indigenous Issues: Mission to Canada, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people

This report outlines United Nations Special Rapporteur's mission to Canada in 2004 during which he met with government officials and representatives of First Nations communities. While recognizing the commitment of the Canadian government to protecting the rights of First Nations, the report also outlines areas of concern. A main recommendation is that the Canadian government pass legislation to ensure that Aboriginal groups are protected as outlined in the report of the Royal Commission and under international standards. In terms of Aboriginal women, the Rapporteur discusses various issues including matrimonial property and violence against women and notes that the needs of Aboriginal women have been long neglected. The Rapporteur recommends that the Government eliminate provisions which place certain group of Aboriginal women at a disadvantage and take action to prevent incidents of violence in urban settings. [Descriptors: Indigenous Women, Canada]