UN rep visits Winnipeg, and Manitoba First Nation

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples made a stop in Manitoba this weekend, as part of his tour of Canada to examine issues facing this country's First Nations.

On Saturday, James Anaya visitedWinnipeg and Pukatawagan, Man., to meet with aboriginal people, government officials and others.

Anaya received a warm welcome from hundreds of people when he arrived in Winnipeg.

The Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection was shut down while First Nations women performed a jingle dress dance.

This is Anaya's first visit to Canada as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Anaya will examine what inequalities Canada's aboriginal peoples face in terms of economic and social rights, education, housing and health.

"So what I'm hoping to do is raise further awareness about these issues and identify some of the progress that has been made in addressing them," he said. "Some of the challenges that remain and hopefully helping to contributing to guiding, as I said, steps towards resolving these issues."

Anaya's nine-day tour began Monday and includes stops in urban and remote communities in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

He will hold a press conference in Ottawa on Oct. 15 to talk about his tour. He is expected to deliver his report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2014.