The FSIN Warns The Province To Stop Its Attack On Treaty Rights

Friday, 19 March 2010 00:00

(Saskatoon, SK) FSIN Vice Chief Morley Watson says the Saskatchewan Government has a Duty to Consult where there is an infringement on Treaty rights with First Nations before any changes are made to on-reserve taxation and the personal use of tobacco. The Federation learned of the province’s proposal to decrease the personal tax free exemption on tobacco purchases by status Indians minutes before Premier Brad Wall made his state of the province address in Saskatoon on March 17, 2010. The FSIN contends there was no meaningful consultation regarding this matter. The Federation will convene a meeting with the Chiefs of Saskatchewan to restate our Treaty position.

“The province’s proposal is a blatant attack on our Treaty rights and our ability to develop our economies. This proposed decrease would cut into revenue for approximately 70 on-reserve businesses that amounts to millions of dollars,” says Vice Chief Watson. “Some of our communities have a limited number of avenues to generate revenue. This would definitely hurt our local First Nation economies and inadvertently affect the surrounding communities that benefit from First Nation support.”

The Province’s proposal to reduce the number of cartons of cigarettes purchased by Status Indians is nothing more than a smoke screen. There is a Provincial agenda to attack all of our Treaty rights from education to health to taxation.

“It seems like the Province is preoccupied with balancing its books on the backs of First Nations people,” says Vice Chief Watson. “When a government finds itself in financial trouble they want the poor to pay the price for their miscalculations in their budgeting process.”

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