Episode 43: Murray Rankin - BC Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Ahkameyimok Podcast with Perry Bellegarde

"The fact that DRIPA was passed unanimously needs to be underscored. This isn't an agenda of the NDP government, it's something that was embraced by all representatives of the people of British Columbia, and I can't overemphasize how important that is."

As BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations, it's Murray Rankins job to implement and meet the commitments of Bill 40, the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or DRIPA. Ranking and National Chief Bellegarde discuss how "the sky didn't fall as many predicted" when DRIPA was passed, quite the opposite, and how the legislation is being used by business, industry, and all levels of government to work with First Nations. They also discuss what Ottawa can learn from DRIPA as it debates a companion bill, C-15, what the challenges and advantages of the legislation are. They also talk over incorporating First Nations law into the Canadian legal system, and how to end systemic Racism.

A big thanks goes out to the Red Dog Singers of Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan for our theme song, Intertribal.

The Ahkameyimok Podcast is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.

For more on the work of the Assembly of First Nations and First Nations issues visit www.afn.ca