Chiefs Discuss Indian Status At Special Meeting

Chiefs Discuss Indian Status At Special Meeting

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 15:03

 

 

The chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says things could get costly for many bands if they suddenly find themselves with new members.

 

The FSIN is hosting a special assembly in Prince Albert today to deal with that possibility.

 

A recent court ruling in B.C. has called into question who can and can’t be considered First Nations.

 

It was back in 1989 that Sharon McIvor launched a lawsuit in a bid to acquire Indian status for herself and her son.

 

In March, the B.C. Court of Appeals ruled that the Indian Act discriminates against descendants of Native women who married non-Native men.

 

The federal government has decided not to appeal the ruling and is planning on making legislative changes.

 

FSIN Chief Lawrence Joseph says bands need to create their own rules on who its members can be, and worries the government and courts may try to impose their own definitions.

 

Joseph and others are hoping to create a framework that individual bands can feed off with their own criteria and requirements.

 

He says the treaties are the starting point.

 

A tribal chief from Ontario says he believes as many as 400,000 people could soon be able to file for First Nations status if the ruling stands.