FSIN says Saskatchewan First Act interferes with Treaty lands, calls for its rejection
The Assembly of First Nations National Chief says she supports First Nations leaders and is calling for an emergency resolution to reject the Saskatchewan First Act and the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act before the bills become legislation.
“These two acts are really seeking to extend provincial authority into federal and Treaty jurisdiction, and therefore are interfering with treaty lands,” said Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Chief RoseAnne Archibald
The Saskatchewan First Act would allow the province to claim exclusive jurisdiction over natural resources and development.
AFN Chief Archibald and First Nations leaders from Treaty Six and Treaty Seven are prompting the province address their concerns and support an emergency resolution titled, the Rejection of the Saskatchewan First and Alberta Sovereignty with a United Canada Act. They described their position at a press conference Wednesday morning in Ottawa.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations' (FSIN) third Vice-Chief Aly Bear spoke at a press conference alongside the AFN chief and chiefs from Treaty Six and Seven in Alberta.
“There hasn't been any duty to consult. There hasn’t been a proper process when it comes to speaking to our First Nations and discussing resource revenue sharing,” said Vice-Chief Bear.
She is prompting the federal government to stand with FSIN to oppose the act.
“Because Treaties are with the Crown and those relationship are sacred and we have to need to continue to ensure we are honouring those Treaties,” she said.
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice Bronwyn Eyre says nothing in the bill “diminishes” from Section 35 of the Constitution to protect Treaty rights, and the duty to consult is engrained in existing legislation. Eyre said the act was about protecting the economy.
“There was nothing new that was really being undertaken here in terms of First Nations rights, certainly, other than asserting jurisdiction over natural resources, which benefits everyone in the province,” said Erye.
She says Bill 92-A was used to argue against the federal government to oppose carbon tax, and the Saskatchewan First Act will help quantify irrefutable harm.
“This really is about protecting natural resources and everything that we can achieve together, together with First Nations and together as a province and that's where we stand,” said Erye when the act was first introduced on November 1.
To date, the provinces of Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have introduced sovereignty acts.
“This is going to be a domino effect so I call on the federal government to stand with us, because the Treaties are with us because the treaties are with the crown, and those relationships are sacred,” said FSIN third Vice-Chief Aly Bear.
Saskatchewan First Act passed its second reading in the legislature on Monday.
The Saskatchewan First Act asserts the province's exclusive jurisdiction under the Constitution of Canada in the areas of exploration of non-renewable natural resources, the development, conservation and management of renewable and non-renewable resources, and the operation of sites and facilities to generate electricity.
Bear says in the spirit of reconciliation First Nations should have been consulted before tabling an act of this nature, and the province has done little to include them in the process of natural resource development.
“We’re asking the government to sit down with us and to have conversations. Let’s talk about moving forward together,” said Bear.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Kim Kardashian brand kids' sleepwear and more: Here are some recalls to watch out for
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Federal government to announce funding to help Toronto host six 2026 World Cup games
The federal government is set to announce funding to help Toronto host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.