Sask. First Nations Step Closer to Self-Government

Sask. First Nations Step Closer to Self-Government

Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 13:11

 

 

 

First Nations communities in the province will soon be getting a close look at two draft agreements that will eventually give bands a form of self-government.

 

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations recently initialled the agreements-in-principle with the federal and provincial governments.

 

FSIN Treaty Governance spokesperson Dorothy Myo says the negotiations have been ongoing since 1996.

 

She says the final draft of the agreement will be binding and will see Saskatchewan First Nations realize their rights guaranteed under the treaties.

 

Myo also says neither the Indian Act nor the First Nations Governance Act will apply to Saskatchewan First Nations once the final agreement is signed.

 

Community consultations on the draft agreements will take place from September to November.

 

Myo expects the final agreements to be signed within the next 2 to 4 years.