First Nations leaders and Elders talk treaties at conference

A treaty conference put on by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) in March, brought together First Nations leaders, Elders and experts to share knowledge about treaties and natural resources.
The main focus of the roundtable talks was deciding how treaties can be brought into discussions on resource revenue sharing through the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements (NRTA), and to reclaim lands and territories.

Throughout the day, Elders and traditional knowledge holders from around Saskatchewan spoke on topics such as emerging trends in resource-revenue sharing, Crown-First Nations relations on resource development, and strengthening governance over treaty territories.
On hand were Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief (FSIN) Guy Lonechild and Chief Lyle Whitefish along with panel members, First Nation leaders, lawyers and academics.

“It’s about bringing together leaders and chiefs to listen to Elders. We need to do this right in terms of ceremonies and in terms of starting things off in a manner that respects our ways and our cultures,” Chief Lonechild said to the Elders seated at tables around the room.

“We look to hear from you, the experts. So help us move forward in the spirit and intent of the treaties,” he added.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Chief Lonechild said the overall goal of the roundtable discussions was to get First Nations involved with governments to figure out how First Nations can benefit more from natural resources.

“We haven’t been given that respect in terms of having First Nations involvement and discussions under the NRTA,” said Chief Lonechild, referring to a $35 million payment made by the Crown to the Province in December 2009 for Soldier Settlement Lands rights and resources.

“That was a serious breach of our treaty,” said Chief Lonechild. “We want to ensure that our veterans who fought for this country are duly compensated with lands and revenue just as the Province of Saskatchewan has.”

He said the conference is looking at amendments that may help First Nations move forward with resource-revenue sharing.

Right now the wealth of the province is not being distributed fairly to First Nations, Chief Lonechild said, adding it shows in the housing, health and infrastructure that other cities and municipalities enjoy today that is not being shared by First Nations.

“So the Government of Canada really needs to move forward in a more fair way in terms of redistributing wealth to some of our poverty stricken communities in Canada,” he added.

“They exist in Saskatchewan, poor water, poor infrastructure, roads and education, health services. We’re falling further and further behind and the gap is widening.”

All people in Canada and Saskatchewan are treaty, he said. And there is a need to increase awareness and understanding of this treaty relationship in terms of what this means today.

“If we don’t share resources in a more meaningful way in a treaty territory like Saskatchewan, then we’re falling further and further behind,” he added.