The FSIN Will Continue It's Work On First Nation Citizenship
Thursday, 05 November 2009 18:00
(Saskatoon, SK) FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild says the Federation has a strong mandate from Saskatchewan Chiefs to pursue all avenues to resolve this outstanding issue of citizenship. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled it will not hear Sharon McIvor’s case regarding the continued gender discrimination in the “status” provisions of the Indian Act.
“The Federal Government is not doing a good job when it comes to fulfilling its duty to consult with First Nations on the action that they are proposing. Without proper consultation the Federal Government will make the same mistakes that created the inequality identified in the McIvor case,” says Chief Lonechild. “What Canada is proposing is far too narrow. It’s First Nations that decide who is a citizen not the Federal Government. When Ottawa dictates who is a citizen it clearly illustrates the racism and paternalism inherent in the Indian Act.”
“Citizenship is an issue that falls under Section 35 of the Constitution that recognizes our Aboriginal Right to Self-Government and our Treaty Rights,” says Chief Lonechild. “Canada needs to come up with a remedy for the mothers and children who lost status since 1985.”
Sharon McIvor, a British Columbia First Nations citizen, challenged section 6 of the Indian Act, which governs Indian Status, as discriminatory. McIvor argued section 6 treats the descendents of Indian women who married non-Indian men differently from the descendents of Indian men who married non-Indian women.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is pursuing an amendment to the Indian Act to respond to direction from the BC Court of Appeal, to be in place by April 9, 2010. On July 15, 2009 Chiefs of Saskatchewan rejected any amendments to status provisions. The Federation instead is seeking alternatives to the Indian Act.
“It is our belief that the FSIN Citizenship Framework is a viable long term alternative to the Indian Act status provisions. We will continue to pursue joint work with the Federal Government on a broader approach to citizenship,” says Chief Lonechild. “The Federation will continue to consult with Saskatchewan Chiefs on citizenship.”
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.
For More Information Please Contact:
Mervin Brass, Executive Director of Communications
Direct: 306.956-1026
Cellular: 306.220-7187
Facsimile: 306.665.0115