FSIN Responds to Leaked Government Document

FSIN Responds to Leaked Government Document

Thursday, March 05, 2009 at 14:00

The chief of the FSIN has some questions for the minister of Indian Affairs.

Chief Lawrence Joseph says he’s discouraged to hear reports the federal government was planning to make unilateral changes to how first nations are governed, without even telling them.

A leaked report suggests Indian Affairs is looking at the way band-custom elections are held, how pensions for some band-officials are treated, and granting access-to-information requests for members.

Joseph says the minister needs to explain what’s going on.

Joseph adds if Ottawa is concerned about creating more accountability on reserves it should consider some of the suggestions that have been created by chiefs themselves.

Among them is the desire for a truly independent Auditor General that could police both first nations and the federal government itself.