Sask. First Nations' delegates meet with province to discuss commitments to inherent treaty rights
Delegates from several First Nations met at the Saskatchewan Legislative building for a day of action focused on inherent treaty rights Wednesday.
Attendees are concerned the provincial government is not properly consulting First Nations on a number of issues such as hunting and trapping laws, crown land sales, as well as forestry and environmental affairs.
The past consultation policies have left nations frustrated and
“When it comes to adequacy and duty to consult it ensures that the nations have been adequately consulted, that their concerns have been properly looked at,” Terri Quinney, the duty to consult coordinator from Onion Lake First Nation said.
“With this current process and policy that’s not happening,” Quinney added.
Sask. Party MLA, Don McMorris, said there is no disregard for the duty to consult and every province has an obligation to consult with Indigenous groups and developments within their jurisdiction.
There has been a consultation framework policy in place for over a decade which was tweaked in January to give communities more time on the consultation process.
“If there are suggestions on how to improve, we would certainly revisit that. We’re not going to wait ten years till we revisit it again,” said McMorris.
NDP MLA, Betty Nippi-Albright said the policy is missing a major piece.
“This is about respect. Consultation is not done through email or only surveys. Consultation with inherent and treaty right holders needs to occur in their communities,” said Nippi-Albright.
More days of action will be planned in the future to continue bringing Indigenous issues to attention, while continuing to create respectful relationships between all parties.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.