Just ask the citizens of the many countries Canada is proud to head overseas to help as part of UN missions.

Next month, the shoe will be on the other foot as a UN special rapporteur visits the Deh Cho to gather evidence on the status of the Deh Cho First Nations' self-government proposal -- the Deh Cho Process -- during meetings with DCFN leaders and elders Feb. 9-11.

"We're bringing to light that the federal government has obligations to live to in regards to the DCFN (and) the Canadian government is not doing it," DCFN Grand Chief Michael Nadli said Friday. "The UN will be informed of the aspirations of our people and the situation."

For years now, the DCFN and Ottawa have been deadlocked over self-government and land claims negotiations. In November, however, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister (DIAND) Minister Jane Stewart and Nadli held personal discussions regarding the appointment of a ministerial envoy to break the logjam.

The UN special rapporteur on indigenous treaties and states, Cuba's Alfonso-Martinez, is an expert on international law and part of the Institute of International Law in Havana.

The evidence he gathers will be used for inclusion into a final report to the world body's general assembly.

From Halifax, NDP aboriginal affairs critic, MP Gordon Earle, a former ombudsman in Manitoba, said Ottawa shouldn't be proud of a UN visit.

"It's a sad commentary on our country that we have to have the UN or anyone else in to help solve something that we should solve ourselves," he said. "We're pushing hard for the government to establish a truly independent land claims commission."