FSIN Releases Open Letter To Minister Strahl And All Members Of Parliament

Thursday, 12 November 2009 18:00

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) is sending an “Open Letter to the Federal Indian Affairs Minister” with the clear message that the Federal Government's McIvor response is inadequate. FSIN is also calling on the Members of Parliament to strike a Special Parliamentary Committee to examine the McIvor response and the underlying Inherent and Treaty rights of our Chiefs to determine their own citizens.

 Today is the last day Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is accepting feedback on their proposed amendment(s) to the Indian Act to address the McIvor decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal. INAC is taking the position that there is no legal duty to consult First Nations on the proposed legislative changes.

“Today we have formalized our Chiefs Task Force on Citizenship and our Chiefs are prepared to move swiftly, forcefully and strategically in re-asserting jurisdiction over citizenship,” says FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild. “Canada has violated the Treaty relationship and has been exceeding its own jurisdiction, proceeding in an unconstitutional manner, for over a hundred years. INAC is in a serious conflict of interest by unilaterally defining “who is” and “who is not “an Indian. The Federation has met with INAC and offered them a viable solution, the only solution, we are telling them it’s time they vacate the field.”

On July 15th, 2009 the Chiefs of Saskatchewan met to review the McIvor decision, First Nations identity and our inherent and Treaty rights to determine our own citizens. At that time, the Chiefs of Saskatchewan rejected any further amendments to the Indian Act and gave the FSIN a clear mandate to seek alternatives to the Indian Act status provisions.

The Federation is strongly urging the Federal Government to take this opportunity to seek a broader and meaningful dialogue with First Nations across Canada and work constructively with our First Nations Governments to address the outstanding inherent right to determine our own citizenship.

The Federation of Saskatchewan represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The FSIN is committed to honouring and implementing the spirit and intent of Treaty.

 (Download the Letter to Minister Strahl in pdf)

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For More Information Please Contact:
Mervin Brass, Executive Director of Communications                    
Direct:          306.956-1026
Cellular:       306.220-7187
Facsimile:     306.665.0115