Canada,
Saskatchewan and the FSIN agreed to establish various forums -
the Common Table, Treaty Table, Fiscal Relations Table, and the
Governance Table - to begin a process of discussing treaty-based
governance. The Common Table processes represent the first time
in Canada that a tripartite effort is underway to establish First
Nation governance on a province-wide basis, with a goal of reinvigorating
and implementing the Treaty relationship between First Nations
and the Crown. The government of Saskatchewan is an active participant
in the negotiations, particularly with respect to First Nations
assuming off-reserve jurisdiction in the province for specific
areas.
The
vision of the Common Table processes, jointly agreed to by all
parties is as follows:
First
Nation governments in Saskatchewan will contribute to First
Nation people determining their own destiny, living healthy
and productive lives, and feeling pride in their place in society
- as long as the Sun shines, the River flows, and the Grass
grows.
Building upon the Treaty relationship between Canada and First
Nations, First Nations' governments and the Government of Saskatchewan
and Canada will work togerther in governance and fiscal arrangements
that are transparent, accountable, cooperative, mutually respected
and mutually beneficial. Fiscal relationships should ensure
the sustainability and effectiveness of governments and respect
the social and economic circumstances of all citizens.
On
May 27, 2000, a Framework Agreement, Framework for Governance
of Treaty First Nations, was entered into between the FSIN, the
Federal Government of Canada, and the Provincial Government of
Saskatchewan, establishing negotiations based on the Spirit and
Intent of Treaties.
The
mandate as provided by the FSIN Chiefs in Assembly and with the
work that has transpired from the negotiation sessions since 1996
begs the questions:
- What
would First Nation Governments have looked like had the Spirit
and Intent of the Treaties been honored by the Crown?
-
What would Education or any other sector have looked like
on any First Nation had the Spirit and Intent of the Treaties
been fulfilled?
It is this quest for answers that drives the Treaty Governance
Processess. The establishment of programs and services for on
and off reserve members under the full jurisdiction of First Nation
Governments is the objective.
Current Status
Treaty
Governance Processes have resulted in initialing drafts of the
Agreement-In-Principle (AIP) and the Tripartite-Agrement-In-Principle
(TAIP), July 2003. The agreements are between FSIN/Canada and
FSIN/Canada/Saskatchewan, respectively.
In
late 2003 and early 2004, the FSIN consulted with First Nations
communities and leadership. First Nations have attached priority
to Treaty Implementation and found no treaty linkage in the current
drafts. However, discussions are ongoing to try resolving this
concern to the satisfaction of First Nations.
The
Common Table is a forum for the
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian First Nations, the Federal Government
and the province of Saskatchewan to discuss mutual concerns relating
to Treaty, Treaty Governance Processes and the protocol thereto.
The Common Table created two other tripartite tables: Governance
and Fiscal Relations.
The Governance Table
defines the roles and responsibilities of the Saskatchewan First
Nations, the Federal Government and the province of Saskatchewan
on a wide range of governance, jurisdictional and programming
matters.
The
Fiscal Relations Table
was created to work on the financial or money related issues of
a treaty based governance relationship.
On
May 27, 2000, a Framework Agreement
was entered into between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian
Nations, the Federal Government of Canada and the provincial Government
of Saskatchewan, establishing the framework for First Nations
governance negotiations based on the Spirit and Intent of Treaty.
