FSIN Wades Into New Urban Reserve Debate

FSIN Wades Into New Urban Reserve Debate

Monday, January 22, 2007 at 13:27

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is getting involved in a fight between the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the Piapot First Nation over its plans for an urban reserve in north-central Regina.

Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild says the FSIN is not pleased with the CTF’s recent public opposition to the project.

Last week, the CTF met with the City of Regina’s Executive Committee to openly oppose Piapot’s urban reserve proposal. The taxpayers’ federation argues the tax-free stores on-reserve will create unfair competition to non-Native businesses in the surrounding area.

Lonechild says the CTF and some city officials in Regina need to step back and look at the positives coming from the establishment of urban reserves in other cities, including economic development.

This Friday, the FSIN and other dignitaries will meet with city officials — including Mayor Pat Fiacco — to talk about the service agreements and “win-win situations” that have been generated by Muskeg Lake’s urban reserve in Saskatoon.