Justin Trudeau vows to do better for Canada’s Indigenous People in UN speech.

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Meeshika Sharma
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Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.He used his second-ever speech to the U.N. General Assembly to frankly acknowledge the dark history of Canada’s colonization and promise to do more to help the nation’s 1.4 million indigenous people.

Admitting Canada has failed its Indigenous People, Trudeau said his government would do better to improve the lives of aboriginal Canadians and achieve reconciliation.

Indigenous Canadians make up about 4 percent of the Canadian population.Many aboriginal communities do not have access to safe drinking water, and suicides have plagued several isolated communities in recent months.

Trudeau promised to move forward with a review of federal laws and policy, and to support indigenous self-determination.He reiterated Canada’s pledge to deliver true, meaningful, and lasting reconciliation between Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

He also outlined Canada’s efforts on climate change, and the importance of forging progressive trade agreements that emphasize fairness and real benefits for everyone and stressed that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls grow stronger economies and communities.

 

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