Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 18/98) - While last week may have marked the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the rights of indigenous peoples across the world still are not recognized, according to Gerry Antoine.

Antoine, selected as the delegate for the Deh Cho region by the Deh Cho First Nations, was at U.N. headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland two weeks ago to continue working with the inter-sessional working group's draft Declaration of Indigenous Peoples.

The document, which has been approved by a U.N. sub-commission, has 45 articles concerning the minimum standards that would be acceptable to indigenous peoples worldwide.

Among the articles is the right to self-determination, which is established by being able to freely determine political status and freely pursue economic, cultural and social development. A second call for the enjoyment of all humans rights and fundamental freedoms as recognized by the U.N. Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"Right now, indigenous peoples are not recognized as equals," he said, noting that the U.N. has most often referred to them as "indigenous populations" and "minorities" rather than part of "the public."

"Even here in Canada if you take a look at the situation, it's sort of like semi-apartheid," he added.

In order for the declaration to be adopted, the nation states must accept it by consensus, according to Antoine. Opposition remains and that includes the Canadian representatives, he said.

"They not being honest, not being open," he said.

The inter-sessional working group was formed in 1982. At that time there were only 22 participants, but the most recent meeting saw close to 1,000 people come together for a common cause, noted Antoine, there for the third time.

"One thing I had to learn really fast was other languages," he said, adding that there were many translators on hand.