Treaty Table

In April 2008, the FSIN and Canada agreed on a Memorandum of Agreement giving the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and the Treaty Table  a new three year mandate.  Key changes to the OTC mandate include: Treaty Commissioner may act in advocate role to Treaty (rather than only ‘facilitate’); accountability instructs Treaty Commissioner to report to FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly on an annual basis/as invited; the importance of the role of Elders, including following proper protocol; forum for dispute resolution; independence of Treaty Commissioner to make recommendations and report to Parties on how to move forward on certain topics/issue concerning Treaty; Role of Province – new ‘opt-in’ provision; financing allows OTC to seek funds from Saskatchewan, as co-sponsor for OTC events; and expanded role allows Treaty Table to continue discussions on outstanding issues from previous mandate, and to advise Treaty Commissioner on these issues.

Activities at the Treaty Table since new the mandate focus on priority areas identified in Resolution #1505, Economic Development/livelihood with sub-areas of Lands and Resources, Hunting/Fishing/Trapping/Gathering, and Shelter (housing); Recognition of First Nations jurisdiction on citizenship; Justice, and Education, Child Welfare and Health.  There was also a Duty to Consult Round Table, held in Saskatoon with participants attending from all across province, including federal/provincial government.  Work began on evaluation of OTC and discussions have begun to renew mandate of the OTC (2011 term) and most recently, at June 2009 Legislative Assembly, the Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution directing the Chief’s Office to prepare a framework on citizenship to be presented to the Special Assembly on July 15, 2009.  Treaty Governance assisted in preparation of this work with negotiations/strategy currently in progress.