FSIN Executive Communique August 27, 2010
The FSIN is embarking on a new communication strategy. Part of this plan includes, the FSIN executive keeping the 74 First Nations in the province informed and updated on the important treaty issues.
Office of the Chief- Guy Lonechild
Minister Cheveldayoff Visits FSIN
Minister Cheveldayoff visited the FSIN offices on Friday afternoon to discuss internet gaming. This marks the first time that the provincial Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations has visited the FSIN offices, located on the Muskeg Lake First Nation. The meeting was productive, with assurance received from the Minister that any proposed internet gaming initiatives by the province would involve First Nations of Saskatchewan, through a joint task force.
Executive Retreat
The FSIN hosted an Executive Members/Executive Directors retreat from August 23 to 25, 2010 at the Whitebear First Nation. The purpose of the retreat was to discuss the FSIN revitalization, which is a follow up from the last retreat held in April 2010 in Kelowna, BC.
I thank everyone for their valuable input into the coordination and development of the revitalization plan. All FSIN executive members, senior managers and institution presidents attended, as well as representatives from the Tribal Councils.
Some concerns were raised regarding how policy and processes at the FSIN could better serve the needs of First Nations and Tribal Councils. Better communication was identified as a key issue, and I am pleased that the FSIN is taking concrete steps to provide more information to First Nations on a timely basis, to ensure accountable and transparent governance.
The retreat was also attended by Manitoba Regional Chief Bill Traverse and Regional Chief George Stanley from Alberta, who raised some common issues facing First Nations in the Prairie Provinces.
FSIN Revitalization
The FSIN commenced the process of revitalization in the fall of 2009 with Executive level consultations. A committee was tasked with reviewing the FSIN, the legal framework that guides the FSIN, and its institutions. The group presented their initial findings to the FSIN on January 8 and 9th, 2010, followed by a review by the FSIN Executive at its retreat meeting held in early April 2010. Several planning and consultations documents were prepared.
The FSIN has completed internal executive level consultations and is now undertaking broader consultations with First Nations. This will include developing an online consultations tool, as well as Executive level consultations with First Nations and Tribal Councils. Consultations will be conducted up to and including at the Legislative Assembly to be held on October 27 and 28, 2010. An interim report on the status of the revitalization plan and consultations to date will be presented to the Chiefs-in-Assembly.
FSIN Governance
I now must bring to your attention a crucial governance matter at the FSIN. I would like to inform you that Second Vice Chief Delbert Wapass has tendered notice of his intention to resign from his office, effective September 18, 2010. The Executive Council/Indian Government Commission is meeting on Tuesday, August 31, via telephone conference call at 1 p.m. to deal with the soon-to-be vacant office of the Second Vice-chief.
Office of the 1st Vice Chief- Morley Watson
Tobacco Tax Exemption
The Economic Development office has been working along with the legal team to resolve the tobacco tax exemption policies that have been implemented by the Province and have made various presentations to the Chiefs, store owners and Province on action to be taken. The “scripts” are being written and the “stage” is being set for the test case by legal counsel for the Muskoday First Nation in consultation with legal counsel for the FSIN.
On October 7, 2010 Chief Austin Bear and other members of the Band Council of the Muskoday First Nation plans to purchase four cartons of cigarettes from the Muskoday First Nation store located on reserve. The store will collect the tax as now required by the Saskatchewan’s new, unilaterally imposed quota system. When the rebate for the full three cartons is denied by the store based on the Government of Saskatchewan’s new legislation and regulations, Chief Bear and participating Chiefs will then bring legal action to recover the rebate of the sales tax that the new legislation and regulations has denied them. This will involve bringing an action against the Government of Saskatchewan, preferably in Small Claims Court if permitted, or the Court of Queen’s Bench, if necessary. Legal counsel is looking at the jurisdictional issues. For procedural reasons, the test case will also involve Chief Bear and participating Chiefs bringing this action against the Muskoday store, as well as the Province. The matter will then go to trial.
This approach will put the issue of Saskatchewan’s changes to the allowable quotas of non-taxable tobacco products sold to First Nation members on reserves squarely before the court. The test case will seek to address the primary issues at stake, which are the validity of the Tobacco and Gasoline Agreements and the s. 87 of the Indian Act. The troubling issue of the Government passing legislation says if the new tobacco law they passed conflict with the agreements they signed with First Nations, the legislation is to prevail. So First Nations are aware, if the Court finds that legislation to be applicable then the small claims court action will be frustrated and then game plan number 2 will go into place. In this event the First Nation’s and their stores should be tracking their lost revenues resulting from the new tobacco quotas.
FSIN has sent out notices and approximately 10 Chiefs including VC Watson have made plans to stand shoulder – to shoulder with the FSIN and Muskoday First Nation on October 7. If your First Nation wants to participate in the challenge of Saskatchewan’s legislation contact the FSIN Economic and Community Development Secretariat for full details.
Office of the 3rd Vice Chief- E. Dutch Lerat
Diabetes Prevention Project
The Health and Social Development Secretariat of FSIN has been made aware of a new initiative targeting diabetes in First Nations and Métis women. The Diabetes Prevention Project has been developed by the Women’s Mid Life Health Centre of Saskatoon.
The one year project will aim to reduce Metabolic Syndrome of women in Saskatoon. The project is looking for 200 First Nations or Métis women to participate. Participants will be able to connect with peers, have access to a support team, and include food/nutrition counseling.
Office of the 4th Vice Chief- Lyle Whitefish
FSIN Summer Science Program
The FSIN Science Program is looking forward to another successful year of promoting science, math and technology education and careers. The Science Festivals will run during the school year at ten First Nations locations, these are large one day events that combine a career day and hands-on science to high school First Nations youth.
The Science Mobiles will run during the winter months to deliver hands-on science presentations and career information to the focus group of grade 10 students at ten First Nations schools across the Province. This year the program has submitted to INAC to do an additional ten locations to decrease the waiting list for this program.
There will be three Science Teacher Workshops held this year in Saskatoon, Regina and Meadow Lake. In March 2011 over 150 First Nations youth will be participating in the 3rdAnnual FSIN First Nations Provincial Science Fair that is set for March 24 & 25, 2011 at TCU Place. In addition, the FSIN Science Program has put in a bid to INAC to host the 2011 Inuit and First Nations National Science Camp in Saskatchewan in July 2011.
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