Alberta Chiefs want more action from federal, provincial governments

May 25 2016.  Chiefs at the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs unanimously passed a resolution directing federal Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett to repeal the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, and also requested a review of all legislation passed by the previous Conservative government. Bennett committed to repealing the FNFTA. Sawridge First Nation Chief Roland Twinn said although he is pleased with Bennett’s decision, he is “cautious that there was no indication of how First Nations will be consulted going forward.” Twinn said he is not opposed to transparency when it comes to federal funding, but does not want his Nation’s own-source revenue included. The Chiefs met with Bennett and Alberta’s Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan Wednesday at the AOTC gathering at the Tsuut’ina Nation and called for less talk from the ministers and more action. The Chiefs also raised the issue of revenue sharing and said Bennett committed to return with a response from the federal government. With the withdrawal of the Consultation Levy Act, Feehan committed to engagement with First Nations to develop a new consultation bill.