A First Nation challenging a federal law that requires Indian bands to make their finances public says it is seeking help from the United Nations.

The Onion Lake Cree Nation's case against the transparency legislation was heard in Saskatoon Federal Court last month, and a decision is pending.

The band contends the law violates treaty rights and that Ottawa has wrongfully cut non-essential funding to First Nations that have not complied.

Chief Okimaw Wallace Fox says he has written a letter to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva.

The chief is appealing to the committee to express concern about the legislation and what he calls the heavy-handed approach the government has taken against indigenous peoples.

UN officials were not immediately available for comment.