Episode 40: Romeo Saganash - Indigenous Rights are Human Rights. Bill C-15

Ahkameyimok Podcast with Perry Bellegarde

Former NDP Member of Parliament Romeo Saganash visits the Ahkameyimok Podcast to discuss how Bill C-15, which works to ensure Canadian laws live up to the requirements set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, builds on his own efforts with Bill C-262. He and National Chief Bellegarde also discus what improvements the bill could use as it works its way through Parliament, and what needs to happen to get it passed before an election call, expected this year. Saganash also talks about his proudest moment as an MP, giving a speech in Cree to the House of Commons, after his long push to allow the use of Indigenous languages in Parliament.

Romeo Saganash served as the Member of Parliament for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou for eight years. He was the first Cree person to get a law degree in the province of Quebec and is a proud member of the Waswanipi First Nation.

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.