Many lingering issues after FSIN election
The FSIN is not providing the leadership that the chiefs gave it as their political voice. The organization is becoming increasingly irrelevant to the average First Nations person in Saskatchewan.
Back in 1982, the chiefs of Saskatchewan's 72 First Nations signed a convention act, agreeing to work together and speak with one political voice to implement and protect treaty rights. The convention outlines what the treaty rights are and how the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations will work to protect and implement those rights. This convention is under threat because of the actions taken after the executive election last fall.
There is unfinished business because the concerns raised by the returning officer have not been properly addressed.
The issue was raised when the election returning officer, Myrna O'Soup-Boushie, raised some questions about the conduct of the election that, according to her, “could seriously undermine the integrity of the election.” Instead of addressing the issue, the FSIN sued her for breach of contract and insubordination. In addition, the clerk of the legislative assembly, Dawn Walker, personally sued O'Soup-Boushie.
The FSIN also declared O'Soup-Boushie's claims baseless, but didn't offer any explanation. Police are now involved, and they are conducting an investigation.
The strategy to weaponize the legal system was used to kick the problem down the road and punish the returning officer financially. Also, it gives the FSIN executive the opportunity to avoid questions by stating that the matter is before the courts, and they can't comment.
Who made the decision to weaponize the courts? It couldn't be the organization's executive because that would be a conflict of interest. Also, who approved the funding? Lawyers don't come cheap. Funds allocated by the organization must be approved by the organization's treasury board. And who was paying Walker's legal costs?
The returning officer is supposed to be hired by the Indian Government Commission and answerable to them, not to the executive, because that would be a conflict. The executive loses all their power and authority 30 days before the election for just that reason.
Since the returning officer has concerns, the election should be declared null and void and an election for the entire executive should be held this fall at the FSIN annual general assembly.
This is not in the cards, since the FSIN will not be holding a general assembly this year.
The decision appears to have been made by the executive of the organization; since the election results are in doubt, it is a conflict of interest.
It's not as if there are no issues before the chiefs.
Saskatchewan First Nations are facing a social crisis with addictions and lateral violence. They are under-resourced, under-policed and overwhelmed. The recent events at James Smith call for the co-operation of the leadership to address the serious social issues that plague our communities. In the United States, the crystal meth epidemic has been called a prairie fire, and now it's here.
This week, James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns will attend a national Indigenous wellness conference in Toronto and meet with various federal cabinet ministers. He goes at the invitation of Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu.
His list for his people is long and includes housing, policing, addictions — both counselling and treatment — as well as trauma counselling.
Unfortunately, the potential for lateral violence exists on every reserve in Saskatchewan and it is the result of years of neglect and colonialism. Our people have been held back from development and creating the healthy communities that come from employment, education and self-government. It's because as a nation, we have lost control over our lives. This is not a time for the leadership to avoid their obligations. It is a time for action and to step up and fill the vacuum that exists with the FSIN.
Or the FSIN needs to reverse its decision and hold a much-needed fall chiefs' assembly. The chiefs and the FSIN leadership must get together and address it. They must support each other and develop joint strategies to address our prairie fire.