A day after Alberta introduced new firearm legislation, the FSIN is speaking out against similar legislation in Saskatchewan.
In December of 2022, the provincial government introduced the Saskatchewan Firearms Act and like Alberta did so in response to possible federal firearm legislation.
The province says the proposed legislation would aim to protect the rights of lawful gun owners. The Bill has passed first reading at the legislature.
The FSIN, however, is speaking saying Indigenous people were never consulted on this legislation, releasing a statement on the matter Thursday morning.
“We know our inherent Treaties trump provincial laws. The introduction of Bill 117, The Saskatchewan Firearms Act, does not include exemptions for First Nations’ inherent and Treaty right to hunt, fish, trap and gather. This right is fundamental to the assurances that were made to First Nations under Treaty and we will protect our Treaties to the fullest extent. When our Treaty people are on the land gathering sustenance, provincial and federal gun legislation or any other regulations do not apply,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in the statement.
The organization says any legislation the could affect Treaty rights from any level of government must include consultation with Indigenous groups.
In recent months, the FSIN has been outspoken against other proposed legislation from the provincial government especially the Saskatchewan First Act also citing concerns of an infringement of Treaty rights and a lack of consultation. In recent years, the Indigenous lobby group has also been very vocal against the sale of Crown Lands.
In a response to MBC News, the government says The Saskatchewan Firearms Act can not impede on treaty rights because those rights are protected under Section 35 of the Constitution. The government also says the rules found in the legislation “do not place extra burdens on firearm owners, instead, they provide an appropriate level of provincial oversight for these matters.”