Justice reform, revenue sharing discussed at opening of FSIN Spring Assembly
- NC Raine | May 24, 2018
The spring session of the 2018 Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) assembly is underway, taking place over two days at Whitecap Dakota First Nation, near Saskatoon. Dignitaries, elected leaders, elders, and community members gathered to discuss a wide variety of governmental, social, and economic related issues.
Senator Chuck Thomas of Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation put forward several issues and proposals during the first morning’s senate address, including the idea of justice reform.
“We have the ability to set up and establish the third branch of our governance – the judicial branch, to set and administer our own traditional legal justice system,” said Thomas.
“It makes more sense to deal with the legal issues and crisis that keep popping up in our communities using our justice system rather than relying on the Canadian system, where we seldom find justice.”
Thomas also called attention to reoccurring judicial and social issues in need of increased attention, including missing and murdered women, gangs, and substance abuse.
“No community is immune to (gang and substance) issues,” said Thomas. “We are all responsible for those missing and murdered women, gangs, and the substance abuse. We have to unite and do something about it. That’s the message that the senate wants to challenge you on and take action on.”
The assembly also focused on gaming and trusts grants, with specific attention given to the fair and equitable allocation of community development corporations (CDCs), which receive up to 25 percent of on-reserve casinos operated by SIGA.
“There are so many defining ways on the fair and equitable process. Some casinos fair better than others (...) so how do we, as chiefs and assembly, define a fair and equitable process?” said Cameron. “We have to start thinking the way our ancestors thought.”
Of the many people to voice their opinion on CDCs was National Chief Perry Bellegarde, who advocated the assembly to hear the call of fair and equitable access to both First Nations and non-First Nations in catchment areas where casinos are operating.
“As long as I’ve been part of this assembly, we’ve been advocating for fair and equitable access to gaming revenues,” said Bellegarde. “It was always that spirit of sharing and acknowledgement that (...) there would be equitable access.”
“Revenue sharing has and will always be the will of this assembly. We humbly ask that this be put forward.”
The afternoon session one day one including greetings from Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, and a First Nations Women’s Commission address from fourth vice-chief Heather Bear. The assembly passed a resolution to work and raise awareness with Indigenous women who were forced to have tubal litigations after birth.
Bear told reporters she hopes to bring awareness to the national and international level.
“We need to make this country accountable, whether it be federally or provincially. We know policies are being changed, but we want to review those policies,” said Bear.
Thursday’s continued legislative assembly talks include remarks from AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde, health and social development resolutions from second vice-chief David Pratt, governance, gaming, and education resolutions from Chief Bobby Cameron.