Indian Status Jeopardized By Prorogation: FSIN

Indian Status Jeopardized By Prorogation: FSIN

Friday, January 22, 2010 at 15:02

 

 

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Thunderchild First Nation are urging First Nations people across the country to participate in anti-proroguing Parliament rallies tomorrow.

 

FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild and Thunderchild Chief Dale Awasis spoke this morning to reporters about their concerns about Parliament being prorogued.

 

Awasis says that last year, the government was given a one-year deadline to amend the Indian Act, which it hasn’t done.

 

The deadline is April 6, which he says doesn’t give Parliament much time when it returns the beginning of March.

 

Awasis says there are major implications, one of which is what happens to a First Nations child born after April 6.

 

He says legislation to register a First Nations child will be gone after that date, and there is nothing to replace it.

 

So, as it stands now, First Nations newborns will not be able to be registered after that date.

 

Awasis is concerned a large portion of First Nations people will lose their status.

 

He says funding is tied to status, so fewer status Indians equals fewer dollars for reserves, and the spin-off effect is less money going into surrounding communities.