The First Nations Leadership Council, Canada, has urged states at the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity to treat Indigenous peoples as equal partners in discussing and making decisions about management of their territories.
The Conference is being held on Kanien'kehá:ka territory in Montreal.
On Monday the Council noted the "significant and outsized contributions of Indigenous peoples across the globe in protecting the biodiversity within their territories"
The FNLC, representing the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) nations said more than 80% of the Earth's remaining biodiversity is stewarded by Indigenous peoples, a "stunning achievement in the face of the rampant exploitation of natural resources and habitat destruction that characterizes the ongoing colonization of our lands".
"There is an inescapable economic component to First Nations' inherent title to our territories, and we have proprietary interests to all the lands and resources within our respective territories," the group said in a joint statement.
The FNLC said that in the nearly 30 years since Canada signed onto the Convention on Biological Diversity, the understanding of the full extent of the biodiversity crisis and its root causes has deepened considerably.
"The Government of Canada's announcement of $800 million to support four Indigenous-led conservation initiatives is a welcome acknowledgement of the powerful role that Indigenous peoples have had in stewarding our lands and ensuring their integrity for generations to come.
"However, Indigenous peoples continue to be left out of decision-making at the COP15 negotiating tables."
The Council noted that despite the gradual advancement of Indigenous voices within the Conference of the Parties proceedings, Indigenous peoples still do not have a vote on matters that will directly impact their lands and livelihoods.
"The Convention on Biological Diversity, as with many other United Nations processes, is a state-led process in which the rights of Indigenous peoples are not guaranteed in any outcome. Despite these limitations, grassroots Indigenous organisers, and particularly the youth, have worked diligently to advance Indigenous priorities for conservation and biodiversity in a space that was not made for them."
The Council warned that if clauses to safeguard Indigenous Peoples' Title and Rights are excluded from global biodiversity frameworks to protect 30% of marine and terrestrial areas by 2030, Indigenous Peoples' lands will be freed up for access by states under the guise of conservation.
"Conservation projects must be planned and carried out with the full participation of Indigenous peoples and according to the minimum international standard of free, prior, and informed consent," the group said.
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, said that "without full consideration of our title and rights, the 30x30 framework has all the hallmarks of green colonialism".
"If conservation goals become another justification to make decisions about Indigenous peoples' lands without their consent or even their participation, how is that anything other than a land grab?"
First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips said Indigenous people have been "protecting biodiversity in our Nations without the institutional support of states and the UN, and we need more tools to carry on that work".
"The successes of Indigenous-led conservation are undeniable, and the Crown and other states cannot pick and choose when and where to support our initiatives based on what's convenient for them."
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations regional spokesperson Terry Teegee said Indigenous people from all over the world have brought their voices to COP15, but still don't have a vote on the floor.
"We're free to make interventions as observers but the final decision-making is out of our hands. But the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have also all ratified the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
"In Canada and every country, the articles of the UN Declaration and the standard of free, prior, and informed consent must be foundational to conservation planning."
