Meeting with Armand Alex McKenzie, representing the Innu Council of Nitassinan.

Mr. McKenzie job involves lobbying different United Nations bodies and agencies such as the ILO, treaty monitoring bodies, rapporteurs, human rights groups and protecting the rights and interests of his people. He is in Geneva at the moment as a representative of his people at the U.N. forums occurring this week.

This week, he has several aims. First, he plans to raise specific objections, correct statements given by particular states and to add information where he deems appropriate. Secondly, he will network with indigenous people from around the world. Thirdly, he will exert public pressure on different states such as the Canadian government, in order that change occurs on state policies and that respectful measures are taken to ensure the rights and the interests of the Innu Nation. Lastly, Mr. McKenzie will work in partnership with international organizations such as the U.N agencies and the Canadian Government.

Mr. McKenzie is fighting for the following objectives: 1) He wants his people to be part of the Canadian society but to be able to keep their own identity; 2) The Innu want the right to form their own government and be able to adapt the judicial system to reflect their own cultural specifics; 3) Canada must be encouraged to abide by the obligations of international law. Certain laws and policies are aimed specifically at native people in Canada and they do not reflect or recognize basic human rights that we all take for granted. Canadian aboriginals are subjected to a policy of extinguishment, by signing agreements with the Canadian government, they are asked to abandon their claims to the land which represents their soul and their spirit. This is a violation of both CERD and ICCPR. Mr. McKenzie believes that the Canadian government can use the natural resources of the Innu land, but they should work with his people to determine their economic and political future.

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