History of the SFNVA
In 1982, The Saskatchewan Indian Veterans Association (now the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans’ Association, SFNVA) was incorporated under the umbrella of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). The SFNVA was mandated, by the FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly, to: identify First Nations veterans and their dependents, research claims and ensure veterans and their families receive full benefits and entitlements.
For the past 25 years, the SFNVA has attempted to meet its mandate through advocacy, information sharing and research, and has sought redress through a variety of forums including the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, the Human Rights Commission and the National Roundtable.
Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans, sometimes on their own, sometimes collectively, and sometimes with the assistance of national bodies representing Aboriginal veterans, have made tremendous, and mostly fruitless, efforts to seek redress for the benefits they believe they should have received following military service. Below is a chronology of the SFNVA’s major efforts, and the outcome of those efforts.
|
Date |
Activity |
Outcome |
|
1985 |
SIVA completes Access to Information requesting information related to surrenders to the Soldier Settlement Board |
Request denied on the basis that files were transferred to Indian Affairs |
|
1986 |
Task Force convened with members from DIAND, DVA and NAVA to study Aboriginal Veterans’ claims |
Task Force concludes that “there was no systemic discrimination or maladministration” |
|
1987 |
Saskatoon west MP, Ray Hnatyshyn promises to lobby on behalf of SIVA and writes to DIAND and VAC |
No response |
|
1987 |
SIVA attempts to lodge a Human Rights complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission |
SIVA is informed they are ineligible to register a complaint because the discrimination took place prior to 1978 |
|
1991 |
SIVA attempts to file a Specific claim |
SIVA is informed by legal counsel that their claim does not meet the criteria under the federal policy |
|
1992 |
SIVA requests copies of Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans’ files from VAC |
Request was denied due to provisions of the Privacy Act. |
|
1992 |
SIVA meets with DVA, VLA, and INAC to determine a process for redress of grievances |
No process identified at that time |
|
1993 |
SIVA presents to RCAP |
RCAP recommends several steps for redress |
|
1993 |
SIVA meets with OTC to request assistance and to have FN Veterans included as part of the OTC mandate |
OTC agrees only to provide Treaty Commissioner with an overview of Veterans’ issues, but indicates that its mandate can only be changed through bi-lateral (Canada/FSIN) process |
|
1993 |
FSIN chief requests an amended mandate for OTC |
Request denied by DIAND minister based on the response that DIAND had not found any evidence that the federal government had discriminated against Aboriginal Veterans |
|
1993 |
SIVA presents to the Senate sub-committee on Aboriginal Veterans |
Senate publishes a report recommending redress |
|
1993 |
FSIN Chiefs in assembly pass a resolution to seek AFN support in addressing FN Veterans’ grievances |
AFN agrees to approach INAC |
|
1994 |
SIVA submits “ A Proposal for Redress and Justice” to INAC |
No response |
|
1994 |
SIVA requests information regarding the debriefing process from the DND history department |
No response |
|
1994 |
Battlefords-Meadowlake MP, Len Taylor, raises questions on FN Veterans benefits in the House of Commons |
VAC Minister, Laverne MacAuley promises to look into the issues |
|
1994 |
Len Taylor again raises FN Veterans issues in the House |
Minister MacAuley responds that none of the cases reviewed provide evidence of discrimination |
|
1999 |
SFNVA files Statement of Claim |
Claim led by Delia Opekokew |
|
2000 |
Federal government announces the creation of the National roundtable on Aboriginal Veterans |
Statement of Claim is put in abeyance while in the discovery stage? |
|
2002 |
Federal government announces “compassionate package” for Aboriginal veterans |
SIVA withdraws its claim |
|
2006 |
SFNVA General Assembly directs SFNVA executive to seek advice on pursuing a new Class Action Suite |
SFNVA begins summary report of available research |
|
2007 |
Issues paper is completed and forwarded for legal opinion |
Legal opinion is provided, stating that a class action at this time would be unlikely to be successful. |
|
2008-2009 |
SFNVA undertakes to build its membership and strengthen its governance in order to force negotiations with Canada. The Association also begins development of a speaker’s Bureau to raise public awareness. |
SFNVA completes its membership structure, leadership selection process and Executive Regulations.
Speaker’s Bureau materials currently under development. |
Despite over 25 years of consistent efforts to obtain an adequate amount of compensation and to have their issues addressed, Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans have yet to receive even a public apology. The so-called compassion package, a maximum of $20,000 for a very limited amount of Veterans, was woefully inadequate to address the issues raised by the many studies that have been conducted on this issue.