Friction between Idle No More advocates and the Assembly of First Nations was on display Tuesday at a Senate committee designed to study government legislation surrounding reserve accountability mechanisms.
The AFN, which operates as an advocacy body for elected First Nations chiefs, was under fire during testimony from Idle No More advocate and lawyer Charlene Desrochers.
Desrochers, who opposes the government’s Bill C-27, slammed the umbrella group and claimed grassroots people are dissatisfied with the feds and the structure of the AFN as a whole.
“The AFN is a very undemocratic organization,” said Desrochers, who believes First Nations people, not chiefs, should be electing the head of the AFN.
Desrochers was one witness called to appear before a Senate committee now probing the implications of Bill C-27.
The government says the legislation is designed to “enhance the financial accountability and transparency of First Nations.” It is set to become law with the government’s majority in the Upper Chamber.
Conservative Senator Nancy Greene Raine says there are a lot of reserves that already have accountability structures in place, but the legislation will ensure information is available without fear of intimidation in some communities.
The AFN say chiefs and councillors are already required to provide audited financial statements annually. It has also accused the feds of failing to appropriately consult with First Nations.
“First Nations certainly want to be open, transparent and accountable and for the most part our First Nations are,” said AFN B.C. Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould.
Categories: General
Someone should have asked Charlene to show her staus card she isn’t even FN so she should keep her mouth shut. Most FN people want accountability this way the money sent would be spent the way it it suppose to on the people not lawyers and band councils. I bet Charlene also believes Spence was on a real hunger strike.
Oh Spiritbear1, don’t let that little government issued card be a requirement to be First Nation.
I can assure you that Charlene is a Status Card Holder from Treaty Nine. She is indeed an fine advcocate of aboriginal rights.
That is because in the eyes of Canada you are not Indian it is all in your mind and a way to make lots of money off of FN band councils. FN people need to be protected from corruption. This bill is a good start in the right direction.
Instead of taking off my comments someone should get some cajones and ask Charlene to show proof she is Indian. Anyone can claim that now. I want people to know that Charlene does not speak for all FN people. Neither does AFN.
Exactly what is proof that someone is Indian?
Clearly you don’t speak for any First Nation.
If you are First Nation, could we use the term ‘successfully assimilated’ to describe you?
I am sick and tired of my money going to make chiefs and their cronies rich!!! It is time for FN members to rise up and put a stop to it. Nothing ticks me off more than to see chiefs leading the Idle No More blockades as they are as big a part of the problem as Ottawa.
Message for Duncan and Harper – I am an “Indian” under the Indian Act!
You are not going to disenfranchise Minnie Iserhoff’s family from the Indian Act in 2011 without telling us. I have a right to know the details of the protest review that the Department of Indian Affairs is undertaking pursuant to section 14 of the Indian Act regarding our right to registration as Status Indians under the Indian Act.
I am a Cree woman and the Indian Act is a racist piece of legislation that should be repealed in its entirety and not replaced. We have acquired rights under the Indian Act that you cannot unilaterally withdraw without due process.
I submitted an Access to Information request in March 2010 for the contents of my personal file, my mother’s, Helen Iserhoff, and my deceased grandmother’s file, Minnie Iserhoff, at the Department of Indian Affairs and they are not releasing that information to me. Why are you keeping my file a secret? Did Indian Affairs already disenfranchise me without informing me? I have a right to know that information.