Saskatchewan Ministry Of Environment Breaches FSIN Partnership Agreement
Thursday, 15 April 2010 00:00
(Saskatoon, SK) Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Vice Chief Lyle Whitefish is extremely disappointed with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment’s (MOE) decision to terminate funding related to an FSIN-MOE Partnership Agreement entered into 16 years ago. The FSIN is calling on Environment Minister Nancy Heppner to restore funding to the FSIN to continue the Partnership Agreement.
“I must express serious concern that Minister Heppner did not provide due consideration and respect to my office,” says Vice Chief Whitefish. “I did not expect a telephone call (on March 24, 2010) from the deputy minister advising me that our funding was being terminated effective March 31, 2010. The Partnership Agreement distinctively provides a termination clause of sixty (60) days’ written notice.”
In 1994 the FSIN and Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) entered into a protocol agreement for the purpose of establishing cooperative working relationships between First Nations and the provincial crown on matters respecting the land, environment and the management of wildlife resources. The Bi-lateral Task Force was established that provided a forum for discussion between First Nations and the ministry on matters of mutual concern resolving issues before they became problematic.
The FSIN will continue to support First Nations in Saskatchewan to ensure that the Province respects their legal and constitutional obligations as it relates to the duty to consult and accommodate.
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