The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is calling for the provincial government to withdraw the Saskatchewan First Act, claiming it is unconstitutional.
“There hasn’t been any duty to consult, there hasn’t been a proper process when it comes to speaking to our First Nations, and discussing resource revenue sharing,” said Vice-Chief Aly Bear during a press conference in Ottawa Wednesday. “We’re asking the government to actually sit down with us to have conversations, let’s talk about moving forward together.”
The Saskatchewan First Act, tabled earlier this fall is defined as Premier Scott Moe is to clarify and defend the province’s interests regarding natural resources. Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre has repeatedly stated that the legislation will not infringe on Treaty Rights, as that is enshrined in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.
“It is time for Canada and Saskatchewan to stand up and correct these major breaches of Treaty. First Nations have attempted to work with the Government of Saskatchewan to address resource revenue sharing. The Province is breaching the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreements signed in the early 90s by selling unoccupied Crown land that was meant for the Government of Canada to fulfill its outstanding land-related treaty obligations,” said Chief Bobby Cameron, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in a previous statement.
Bear indicated Wednesday that court action may be needed on this legislation.