FSIN Moving Ahead On Framework For Indian Status

FSIN Moving Ahead On Framework For Indian Status

Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 14:35

 

 

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations has received a mandate to begin working on defining who its citizens are.

 

A resolution was passed at a special assembly in Prince Albert yesterday giving the federation permission to create a framework for bands to use when determining membership.

 

The move was sparked by a recent court ruling in B.C that could potentially open the door for thousands of people to become status Indians and members of First Nations.

 

FSIN Chief Lawrence Joseph says it shouldn’t be up to the federal government to determine who is a First Nations citizen.

 

He says when treaties were signed, First Nations never gave up that inherent right.

 

Some First Nations in eastern Canada have already passed rules on who can and can’t be a member.

 

Joseph says he doesn’t want Saskatchewan bands to be left behind.

 

He explains the framework will be something bands can use when developing criteria and rules that work best for them.

 

Many chiefs at the assembly told Joseph they want grassroots citizens to be consulted and included in whatever framework is developed.

 

Muskeg Lake Chief Cliff Tawpisin says he doesn’t want to see anything imposed on individual bands.

 

The FSIN says it wants Indian Affairs to help pay for the work — but if the government refuses, the federation may submit an application to take money out of the Treaty Rights Protection Fund.

 

Meantime, it’s looking like closer attention will soon be paid to which words are used by First Nations to describe their members.

 

FSIN Chief of Staff Albert Angus notes the term “band member” may not have as much legal weight as the term “citizen” when it comes to the letter of the law.