OTTAWA - The United Nations says it wants "meaningful" talks between First Nations and the Canadian government.

The UN weighed in Wednesday after a tense month during which the Idle No More movement erupted into protests and Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence launched a so-called hunger strike to protest the government's budget bill.

"Both the government of Canada and First Nations must take full advantage of this opportunity to rebuild relationships in a true spirit of good faith and partnership," James Anaya, UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, said in a press release.

Canada's foreign affairs department has been critical of the UN in the past and urged the organization to concern itself with countries with real problems - such as Syria, Iran and North Korea.

"By the UN's own measure, Canada ranks 6th best of all the world's countries on their human development index," spokesman Rick Roth said.