AFN supports First Nations Bank

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Members of the Assembly of First Nations unanimously approved a resolution supporting the establishment of a national Native capital territory and a First Nations bank

Founding a national capital for Natives would unify First Nations people across

the country, the resolutions' author said..

"Canada established the national capital region in Ottawa," said Red Pheasant Band assistant Chief Bill Wuttunee. "It unified the Canadian people. We are scattered across the country and we need a central place to bring us together."

About 225 chiefs and 400 Native officials from across Canada passed the resolution July 29 during the assembly's week-long annual meeting at the Tsuu Tina Reserve just south of Calgary.

The Native capital would have Native institutions such as museums, art galleries, administrative centre, a Native police training centre and the Assembly of First Nations headquarters, said Wuttunee.

Creating the capital region would require funds from Ottawa and First Nations communities, some of which have enough money, Wuttunee said. The Minawaki lodge near Winnipeg might be a suitable site for a capital because of its central location.

The capital should not, however, be located on an existing reserve because it would use up too much of the First Nations' shrinking land base, he added.

Formation of the national Native bank would consolidate First Nations' funds, which could then be loaned back to Native bands and communities, said Wuttunee. Millions of dollars are still kept in trust the Department of Indian Affairs, which has more than $1 billion in trust from three wealthy bands in Alberta.

"We need financial muscle," he said. "The Native people have large amounts

of money from oil and gas. Instead of seeing it scattered to the various chartered banks,

we believe it would be desirable to control the purse strings."

AFN Grand Chief Ovide Mercredi has also approved the two resolutions, Wuttunee said. A committee will examine the feasibility of both projects and will eventually report back to the chief for approval.