Winter Weather Hampers Start Of FSIN Assembly

 

Winter Weather Hampers Start Of FSIN Assembly

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 14:30

 

 

Weather and road conditions impacted the start of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations fall legislative assembly today.

 

The two-day event at the Dakota Dunes Casino on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation got off to a slow start this morning.

 

Many delegates were unable to get to the site or were delayed significantly due to the bad weather.

 

Elder Maria Linklater eventually kicked things off with an opening address.

 

She called on the government to quit taking children out of First Nations homes, saying too many families are being displaced.

 

Next on the agenda was an address from Senator Roland Crowe.

 

Crowe said he was tired of hearing claims that First Nations are taking taxpayers’ dollars unfairly.

 

The veteran told delegates that most of the revenue earned by the province of Saskatchewan comes from resources that First Nations never surrendered.

 

 

Meantime Shawn Atleo, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations, addressed delegates during the morning briefing.

 

The chief says he knows many bands in Saskatchewan are upset about new government taxes on tobacco.

 

Atleo says these types of cash-grabs are being utilized throughout Canada by more than one government and many First Nations are being affected.

 

Other chiefs also raised concerns about Indian Affairs operating budget.

 

They noted the department often says it doesn’t have the money for things yet its budget keeps rising.

 

And one chief called on Shawn Atleo to get more deeply involved in funding efforts for the First Nations women’s commission.