The FSIN passed a large number of motions at its spring assembly in North Battleford this week.
Among them, were calls to support Prince Albert Grand Council’s anti-bootlegging/transportation of alcohol initiatives.
“We can’t stop everything but at least if we decrease the bootlegging that’s happening at least we’re doing something,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.
Another in the series of resolutions, was support for the treaty right to hunting protocol agreement.
“Any Conservation Officer will and shall get the permission of chief and council before entering onto any First Nation community to do an investigation. It’s about respect and communication,” Cameron said.
Talks about the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Commission were held behind closed doors, but the rest were out in the open.
Treaty implementation was a hot topic throughout the two-day assembly.
Other topics include FSIN creating an inherent and treaty rights-based operational plan, to last for the next five years.
On Cameron’s file, a motion was made for First Nations to replace INAC’s treaty status card with their own treaty implementation cards.
“Currently, INAC’s status card has an expiration date. Our inherent and treaty rights don’t expire,” he said.
Cameron said at FSIN’s last assembly, one chief showed a decades-old treaty card that listed all inherent and treaty rights. That inspired their plan to move ahead in creating new cards.
Cameron is also happy with the vote for a name change to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. The resolutions made during the week will go on to the Assembly of First Nations national conference.
The two-day assembly wrapped up Thursday afternoon.