Financial Institutions Act Back in Parliament

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"I don't have that fear," [Harold Calla] said. "We're looking at transition. We're looking at means by which we can achieve our ultimate goal and that is recognition of section 35 rights in a form that we can all appreciate. I think, if there is any attempt by government to try to municipalize First Nations, we will all walk away from it. There isn't one person who's associated with this initiative that believes in that concept. If we don't seize this opportunity, it'll be another 10 years [before it comes along again]. And it's our estimation that every minute that this legislation isn't passed costs us $68 in private sector investment in First Nations in this country. And that number's going to grow exponentially."

"There's no one more anxious to see, government fulfil its responsibilities to our people than I. But what in the future gives anyone who's putting this argument forward any confidence that government is going to treat us any differently? The only time that we've made advances within the Squamish Nation is when we've done it ourselves and not depended on government," he said. "We absolutely agree that the fiduciary duty, the catch up, everything that's there needs to be dealt with. It can't be ignored. The investment in First Nation communities through transfers has to be increased. We absolutely agree with that. But I have no confidence that in the next 30, 40 or 50 years we're going to be dealt with any differently than we are being today. [Waiting] requires that we look opportunity in the face and see it pass us by and we're not prepared to do that anymore."

"How do you get rid of the Indian Act? Those that say you can't tinker with it, well, it's like [former Mississaugas of the New Credit chief] Maurice LaForme said: How do you eat an elephant whole? You can't. You eat it a bite at a time," he said. "The other thing we're doing in the longer term, I hope, is freeing everybody's imagination so that we'll have an ability to imagine life on our own. Right now, people panic. They say, Oh God, if we let go of the Indian Act what's that going to mean?'"

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Financial Institutions Act Back in Parliament

OTTAWA

Former Kamloops Indian Band chief Manny Jules and his colleagues are hoping it'll be third time lucky for the First Nations financial institutions legislation.

Bill C-20 (previously C-19 and then C-23), the First Nations fiscal and statistical management act was reintroduced for first reading in the House of Commons on Nov. 2.

Windspeaker spoke to the five main supporters of the legislation-the leaders o...

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