A former Manitoba native leader is being called a pawn in what critics say is a public relations stunt with the Iranian government.
Terry Nelson and a small group of supporters travelled to Ottawa last week to meet with the Iranian ambassador, under the watchful eye of the RCMP.
Nelson wants to strike a deal with Iran to gain its support for his quest for greater oil, gas and mining revenues for aboriginals in Canada.
In return, he would provide food that's grown on native land to the heavily sanctioned country.
"They (Iranian officials) are working very hard to get us into Iran to make a presentation and we are prepared to do that," the former Manitoba chief said at a march in Ottawa Thursday.
About 20 First Nations leaders and supporters could be in Tehran as early as next month, he said.
Nelson sees himself as an aboriginal human rights crusader who has spent decades challenging the federal government over what he claims are violations against First Nations.
He has also demanded a greater share of oil, gas and mining revenues.
Nelson's crusade never really amounted to much in Canada, so he reached out to governments around the world, and Iran responded.
However, his proposed negotiations with Iran hit a nerve with some members of the federal government as well as former intelligence officials.
"We hope that the aboriginal leaders in question won't allow themselves to be used as pawns in this pathetic game the Iranians are playing," Manitoba Conservative MP Robert Sopuck said in the House of Commons recently.
Iran is blanketed with international sanctions, including from Canada, for its disputed nuclear program the west believes is being used covertly to develop atomic weapons.
A former Canadian Security Intelligence Agency officer agrees with Sopuck, saying Iran has a long list of its own human rights violations.
"They kill people for adultery and stuff like that, a country that has absolutely no legitimacy or credibility on the international scene," Michel Juneau-Katsuya told 麻豆影视.
Nelson has his own take on a potential meeting with Iranian leaders.
"If somebody tells us that we shouldn't be dealing with the Iranians, then what the hell are you doing?" he said.
With a report from CTV's Winnipeg Bureau Chief Jill Macyshon
