As National Indigenous Peoples Day approaches on June 21, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is renewing its call for greater inclusion of non-status and off-reserve Indigenous peoples.
The organization says many Indigenous people living outside reserve communities continue to face barriers accessing housing, health care and other services, despite a 2016 Supreme Court of Canada ruling recognizing non-status Indians and Métis under federal jurisdiction.
CAP says the majority of Indigenous people in Canada now live off reserve, including many in communities across Northeast B.C.
The group adds their voices are often missing from federal consultations and policy discussions.
The organization argues that exclusion from those discussions can lead to gaps in programs and services, particularly for Indigenous women, families and communities living away from reserve lands.
National Chief Brendan Moore says reconciliation requires more than acknowledgement, adding that non-status and off-reserve Indigenous peoples must have a seat at decision-making tables and equal access to government supports.
CAP is calling on the federal government to fully implement the promises stemming from the Daniels decision and ensure Indigenous people living off reserve are included in policies that affect their lives.
The Daniels decision, handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2016, confirmed that non-status Indians and Métis fall under federal responsibility.