Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Canada voted Thursday with three other countries against a United Nations declaration on aboriginal rights -- sparking an angry reaction from native leaders, human rights groups and opposition parties.

The non-binding declaration passed 143-4 in Thursday's vote in the UN's General Assembly. Australia, New Zealand and the United States also voted against the declaration, with 11 countries abstaining.

Critics blasted the govenrment of trying to sweep aside an important show of support for aboriginals that took 20 years of negotiations among UN countries.

But in the lead-up, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations strongly defended the decision to vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

John McNee told the UN that Canada has "significant concerns with respect to the wording of the current text" of the declaration.

He said Canada was specifically concerned about a number of issues relating to provisions on lands, territories and resources.

"It's with disappointment that we find ourselves having to vote against the adoption of this declaration as drafted,'' McNee said.

Earlier Monday, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl also defended Canada's decision.

"The declaration is worded in such a way that it is inconsistent with the Canadian Constitution, the Charter, several acts of Parliament and existing treaties," he told Â鶹ӰÊÓnet on Thursday.

The federal government is focused on other things, like ensuring First Nations are covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act and matrimonial property rights for native women, he said.

"We're moving ahead with tangible things that will benefit First Nations here in Canada," said Strahl. "Unfortunately, that declaration is inconsistent with the Canadian reality."

Specifics

Strahl noted that among many problems with the document, are sections that say laws that affect aboriginals should only be passed with the prior consent of First Nations.

"We'd have to consult with 650 First Nations to do that. I mean, it's simply not doable," he said.

Another section of the UN declaration states aboriginals "have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions."

Strahl said that section is also unworkable.

"Some people ... say that means we can have our own legislatures, our own council in our own language," he said. "But no one's quite sure, and that's the trouble with language like that."

The previous Liberal government supported the declaration, but Strahl noted the Liberals and NDP oppose having First Nations covered by the human rights act.

Opposition attacks

The opposition parties condemned the government's move, saying the UN declaration is not binding on any country, and is more of a symbolic commitment to aboriginal rights.

"It's an aspirational document ... it wouldn't contravene laws that are in place," NDP Indian affairs critic Jean Crowder told CP from Nanaimo, B.C.

"I think (Canada's vote) is a very cowardly and, I would say, un-Canadian approach to human rights."

Liberal leader Stephane Dion said by opposing the UN declaration, the Conservative government has signalled to Aboriginal Canadians that their rights aren't worth defending.

"The government has also dramatically weakened the leadership role Canada has long enjoyed in the global human rights movement," Dion said in a statement.

In June, Amnesty International Canada accused the Tories of working to obstruct the declaration.

UN officials say the declaration -- which has been discussed for more than two decades -- doesn't create any new rights.

"The declaration emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their development in keeping with their own needs and aspirations," said a Sept. 6 news release.

"The text prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them, as well as their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own visions of economic and social development."

Canada's Assembly of First Nations, which represents treaty Indians, has called for the passage of the declaration.

"It's really about setting standards and holding governments to their obligations to ensure the human rights of all people -- including Indigenous peoples -- are respected," National Chief Phil Fontaine said in an Aug. 6 news release.

"This declaration is overwhelmingly supported by many countries because it recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples around the globe. These basic human rights include land, language and self government."

With files from The Canadian Press