Barack Obama might support the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights, First Nations leaders said after meeting with the president-elect's Indian advisers on Thursday.

The chiefs from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta met said they had a productive 20-minute meeting in Washington, D.C. They came to talk about energy issues in Canada and left with positive feelings about the incoming president.

"We asked the U.S. government to respect our treaty rights in Canada and our indigenous rights. It was cordial. They were very accommodating," Manitoba Treaty One Chief Glenn Hudson, who is from the Peguis First Nation, told The Winnipeg Free Press.

The United States and Canada, along with New Zealand and Australia, voted against the indigenous rights declaration, which supports the right of indigenous peoples to determine their own futures.

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Obama advisers offer support on treaty rights: Canadian chiefs (The Winnipeg Free Press 1/9)