Concerns are being raised about possible new legislation to change property laws on-reserve.
The Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan says it is worried about reports the Harper government is intent on introducing legislation allowing private property ownership on reserves.
Coalition president Kim Beaudin says the idea, which has not been formally introduced, could drastically alter the lives of many people.
Beaudin says, in particular, he fears the government could impose the legislation without consulting Aboriginal people — which includes some First Nations people who now live off-reserve, but have ties to the land:
“The term I guess you could use is ‘if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind’ — so if people don’t know what’s really happening from a grassroots perspective, or if they don’t know what’s going on on the reserve then, yeah, it’s going to cause problems. And all of a sudden it will be too late, the barn door will be closed, they won’t have had a chance to participate or provide input.”
Beaudin says the government should hold face-to-face meetings with Aboriginal groups before any moves are made.