Ottawa's stance on UN declaration stumps Simon

The federal government should explain why it will not support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon told a human rights conference in Ottawa Monday.

Earlier this year, Canada refused to vote in favour of the declaration, which enshrines the rights of aboriginal people worldwide.

Simon said she does not understand the government's fearthat the declaration may contradict Canada's Constitution and the Charter of Rights.

"To my knowledge, the federal government has not fully explained or communicated its current position, despite repeated requests by indigenous peoples," Simon said.

However, Indian and Northern Affairs official Sandra Ginnish says the Conservative government has done a lot to promote the rights of aboriginal people.

"Canada has made progress, including the provision of funding, $5-millionover five years to the Native Women's Association of Canada, [and] the conclusion of self-government agreements which have provisions regarding matrimonial real property," Ginnish said.

The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is Canada's national Inuit organization, representing people from Nunavut, Labrador, Quebec and the Northwest Territories.