Canada led efforts to weaken original UN Indigenous rights declaration
The Chrétien Liberal government led efforts to weaken the original draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, working secretly with Australia to develop a watered-down, state-friendly substitute in the early 2000s, newly released documents show.
![Canada led efforts to weaken original UN Indigenous rights declaration](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7080838.1705092623!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/un-chretien.jpg)
![Then-prime minister Jean Chrétien addresses the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York City on Sept. 23, 2003. A man speaks at a podium with the UN logo.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7080838.1705092623!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/un-chretien.jpg)
The Chrétien Liberal government led efforts to weaken the original draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, working secretly with Australia to develop a watered-down, state-friendly substitute in the early 2000s, newly released documents show.