An “insult” is how “outraged” chiefs at the FSIN Assembly in Nipawin are describing an address by a northern politician.
Yesterday, Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River Member of Parliament Rob Clarke outlined his private member’s bill to change the Indian Act.
He told the leaders in attendance he wouldn’t take questions at the podium, but that he welcomed their feedback and ideas on how to shape the bill.
FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson says chiefs were not consulted when the bill was drafted — nor do they view Clarke’s attendance yesterday as a form of consultation.
Watson adds the chiefs have “grave concerns” with Clarke’s plan, likening it to the White Paper policy of 1969.
He says the Conservative government is behind this bill and has sent a First Nations MP to front their agenda.