First Nations Transparency Act (FNTA): sabotage sovereignty?

[Oscar]

Hold the rations: The Canadian government vs. First Nations

[ http://rabble.ca/news/2014/12/hold-rati ... st-nations ]

By Crystal Lameman | December 23, 2014

I was wondering when the first media report speaking about the resource revenue received by First Nations in relation to the First Nations Transparency Act (FNTA) would come out. And then there was a swarm of media articles.

This sudden interest in First Nations governance prompts the question: What is the real reason why the Canadian Government is forcing the issue of financial transparency amongst First Nations people?

My guess is access to band business ventures to dismantle our economic sovereignty.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), under the federal government of Canada, chronically underfunds First Nations. This same system that is set up to fail First Nations people is the same system that is demanding financial transparency relating to all funds -- even from revenue sharing investments that have absolutely nothing to do with the monies generated by the federal government; monies that in part, come from the resource revenue created on Treaty land.

So they implement a system set up for failure, and when those Nations who incur debt cannot manage, they place that community under different levels of Remedial Management.

Even for those that can manage -- based on economic development, investments and resource revenue -- the communities are forced to report to this same system that has perpetuated the financial, economic and social issues in First Nations communities. This government has a fiduciary obligation to First Nations people of Canada.

I am not suggesting that these communities should not report on the federal monies; however refusal to report on resource revenue is currently connected to security for First Nations economic development.

Economic transparency is not about transparency at all

First of all, this legislation is not about disclosing salaries and expenses. It is about putting First Nations at a severe economic disadvantage that would allow consultants or corporations the ability to prey on the revenue generation of First Nations.

This system is based on bidding. When these companies come forward looking for contracts they have the ability to look to the FNTA and the revenue generated, which gives them the opportunity to underbid First Nations companies.

This places First Nations contractors at a disadvantage, which yet again perpetuates the systemic issues in the relationship between this government and First Nations.

This is part of the larger continual cycle of breaking trust obligations between the federal government and First Nations, as well as the taking of First Nations resources without accountability.

So when Prime Minister Stephen Harper yells from the highest peak, "The Government of Canada and First Nations have an enduring historic relationship based on mutual respect, friendship and support. The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening this relationship." I reply, "Prove it."

MORE:

[ http://rabble.ca/news/2014/12/hold-rati ... st-nations ]

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URGENT CALL FOR SUPPORT: Punishment for Failure to Submit to First Nations Financial Transparency Act?

From: Elaine Hughes
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2014 4:29 PM
To: BREITKREUZ, G. MP - Yorkton ; BREITKREUZ, G. MP-Ottawa
Cc: CoCdns - Ott. - Political ; DR. MEILI, Ryan ; Food For All Coalition ; Food Secure Canada ; Food Secure Saskatchewan
Subject: URGENT CALL FOR SUPPORT: Punishment for Failure to Submit to First Nations Financial Transparency Act?

. . . some message – FIVE days from Christmas – in CANADA!!!

What’s going on with this??????

Elaine Hughes
ARCHERWILL, SK

= = = = =


From: Barriere Lake Solidarity
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2014 8:49 AM
Subject: [barriere lake] URGENT CALL FOR SUPPORT: Punishment for Failure to Submit to First Nations Financial Transparency Act?

URGENT CALL FOR SUPPORT: Punishment for Failure to Submit to First Nations Financial Transparency Act? Indian Affairs Push Algonquin Families of Barriere Lake to the Brink of Starvation, Food and Cash Needed

For the last three months, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs has refused to issue social assistance cheques to 15 Algonquin families at Barriere Lake. This has affected between 50-60 people, including 25 children. Aboriginal Affairs is aware of the situation, but has failed to intervene.

The Chief and Council at Barriere Lake are questioning whether the band’s non-compliance with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act is behind this brutal denial of social assistance funds.

The Chief and Council at Barriere Lake have not submitted the consolidated financial statements required by the Transparency Act in protest of the band’s lack of control over band spending. As punishment for non-compliance, the Chief and a member of Council have not been paid for their work since November 27, 2014.

Barriere Lake has been under “Third Party Management” since 2006, which authorizes external accountants hired by Aboriginal Affairs to take over discretion of band finances and spending.

As winter sets in and the Christmas season is upon us, it is extremely difficult for these families and for the band’s governing body to survive without any other source of income. We are calling communities near and far to provide immediate support for Barriere Lake in this time of need.

What is needed?

Needed: Flour, baking powder, vegetable oil, rice, tomato soup, canned whole tomatoes, salt, pepper, cereals, eggs, porridge, macaroni, pasta, pasta sauce, white bread, chicken and beef broth, white beans, canned beans, margarine, potatoes (at least 200 pounds), pancake mix, syrup, dried peas, mac and cheese. Any other canned goods and dry goods that are common consumables and non-perishable.

If you are in Ottawa, please bring contributions to First United Church at 347 Richmond Road between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM, December 21 - 27. Before delivering any contributions, please call the church at 613-­232­-1016 or if there is no answer call 613­729-­2647 to let them know you are coming.

Please take the goods to the back of the Church off Madison Ave (one block north of Richmond).

If you are not in Ottawa, it is best to donate funds for the families to purchase needed items. Please donate generously through PayPal: [ https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... YF238ACE5N ].

You can also send the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Bernard Valcourt, a strong message through his website: [ http://www.bernardvalcourtmp.ca/contact/ ].

Insist that (1) all social assistance payments – including back payments – are made immediately, and that the Department will work with the Chief and Council to ensure that no further payments are withheld; and (2) that the Federal Government meet Barriere Lake’s following demands, regarding the Transparency Act:

- Chief and Council must be free to appoint a fully qualified auditor of their own choosing;
- Chief and Council must have a decisive say over what is included in the audit;
- A fair and transparent dispute resolution process must be initiated to deal with the transactions that the Third Party Manager and Aboriginal Affairs have undertaken to date without the band’s involvement or approval.

More info: [ http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org ].

Barriere Lake Solidarity
Solidarité Lac Barrière
*******************************************
http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org
http://www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com
barrierelakesolidarity@gmail.com
514.398.7432