NUNAVUT - Canada's endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on Nov. 12 drew praise from three Nunavut leaders.

"Canada has endorsed the declaration to further reconcile and strengthen our relationship with aboriginal peoples in Canada," John Duncan, the federal minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, stated in a press release.

National Inuit leader Mary Simon welcomed the endorsement, stating it is a "positive step" in developing the relationship between the Inuit and the federal government.

"It is a remarkable achievement by the aboriginal peoples of this country who worked for so many years to see this day arrive," she stated in a press release. "I am hopeful that this announcement will result, over time, in all governments closing the gap in living standards between Inuit and other Canadians."

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s interim president Jose Kusugak also considers the endorsement a positive step.

"I see this as a commitment to build a positive working relationship and a commitment to work co-operatively in addressing the issues that have stalled the full implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement," he stated in a press release.

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak stated she hopes the federal government uses the endorsement to build a stronger relationship with Inuit and other aboriginal peoples in the country.

The legally non-binding declaration states in part indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decisions affecting them and decision-makers should consult and co-operate with them in order to obtain a "free, prior and informed consent" before making a decision.

At the time of the vote at the UN in 2007, Canada did not support the declaration, saying it had concerns with various provisions it contained. The federal government has since stated those concerns remain but said it has learned from the experience of other countries and feels it can interpret the principles of the declaration within this country's laws and constitution.

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