by Clive Tesar The United Nations has overwhelmingly passed a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration, more than 20 years in the making, passed by a vote of 143 in favour, four against, and eleven abstaining. Of the eight Arctic states, the United States and Canada voted against the declaration, while Russia abstained. Denmark and Finland were among a large group of countries that sponsored the Declaration. The passing of the Declaration was called a "Day of Joy" for Indigenous Peoples by Aqqaluk Lynge, representing Inuit Circumpolar Council – Greenland. Lynge added, "Now it’s time to look at the future and see how we can protect the rights of the Indigenous Peoples and using this Declaration, for the further development of Indigenous Peoples and away from marginalization into being part of the development of the whole world." The Declaration was also welcomed by the Saami Council. In a joint statement with the Saami Parliaments if Norway, Finland, and Sweden, the Council said, "We particularly welcome the Declaration´s explicit acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples being entitled to the unqualified right to self-determination, including the right of the Saami people to freely determine our own economic, social and cultural development and control and decide over our own natural resources." The Saami organizations say they now expect Russian, Finland, Sweden and Norway to start negotiating to return lands taken from the Saami during the period of colonization. It is unclear how some of the Arctic Governments will react to the Declaration, particularly those Governments that either voted against it or abstained. The Declaration is non-binding, which means it cannot be enforced under international law. Canadian Ambassador John McNee was clear that Canada does not intend to be bound by the convention. "For clarity, we would also underline our understanding that this Declaration is not a legally binding instrument, it has no legal effect in Canada and its Provisions do not represent customary international law." In abstaining, the Russian representative said his country could not agree with the provisions governing the rights of Indigenous Peoples to land and natural resources, and compensation and redress. Article 26 of the convention seemed to trouble several of the opposed and abstaining countries. It says, "Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired." Speaking after the Declaration vote, Canadian Inuit leader Mary Simon made the link between respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and the desire of several of the Arctic states to enforce their national sovereignty in the Arctic. "When you assert sovereignty in the Arctic you also have to recognize that the people that live there are asserting that sovereignty, so you have to recognize their human rights and their rights as a people."