Saskatchewan Chiefs address treaty rights at AFN assembly

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Guy Lonechild says it is time to get serious about forcing the federal government to recognize the treaty rights of Canada's First Nations people.
Lonechild spoke to one of the main
discussion topics of treaty rights at the 2009 Assembly First Nations (AFN)
Special Chiefs Assembly at Ottawa's Westin Hotel in December.
"Treaty trumps policy," said Lonechild. "We must not be afraid to assert our treaty rights and to push government to respect them," he added as he encouraged First Nations to insist on their right to self-determination and self-government.
During the three-day assembly many Chiefs and Aboriginal leaders from around the country gathered to share their thoughts and action plans to reclaim the power over their respective territories.
Chief Wallace Fox of Onion Lake First Nation confidently told the crowd of over 1,000 delegates of his plan to build a fuel
refinery on his band's territory.
As a Chief since 1986, Fox explained he was tired of resolutions being made without any action taken after each annual
gathering.
"There is no reason Indian people should be in the state they are in with so many resources," explained Fox, who added that he is ready to take matters into his own hands.
Fox revealed that he had just returned from overseas where he signed a contract with an Asian (company) that is investing in Onion Lake's resources.
Section 93 of the Indian Act reads that a person who removes "minerals, stone, sand, gravel, clay or soil" without the permission of the Minister is guilty of an offence.
However, Fox showed no signs of concern.
Many of the Chiefs accused the governments and oil and gas companies of profiting the most from First Nations, while many of the residents do not seem to receive what they consider a fair portion.
Chief Fox was applauded for his assertive approach. He admitted that he was unable to give the details of his contract because of a confidentiality agreement he had signed days prior to the assembly.
Lonechild, along with many other speakers, denounced the Indian Act and accused it of holding back Canada's First Nations from living independently.
"The true exercise of our rights to self-determination and in the full exercise of our treaty rights will require to push the Indian Act and its dependency machinery out of our way," said Lonechild about the act that was enacted in 1876.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Minister Chuck Strahl was flooded with comments and questions from the crowd when he spoke at the final day of the assembly.
After hearing several criticisms over the
current state of treaty rights and the Indian Act, Strahl admitted that there
was room for improvement.
"The Indian Act is not a piece of legislation I am proud of," said Strahl.
The minister pledged to take the time and work towards compromising solutions with Canada's Aboriginal communities.