BC ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS

Suite 507 – 100 Park Royal

West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2

Telephone: 604-922-7733

Facsimile: 604-922-7433

E-mail: reception@bcafn.ca

Website: www.bcafn.ca

NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release

BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson stands in solidarity with Onion Lake and Sawridge First Nation in their Federal Court challenge

against the First Nations Financial Transparency Act

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – August 19th, 2015) Today, BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson stood in unity with Onion Lake and Sawridge First Nation in their Federal Court challenge against the constitutionality of the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. The Act which took effect last year requires First Nations from across Canada to file and make publicly available audited financial reports which includes remuneration and expenses for Chiefs and Councils. In 2014, in opposition to the unconstitutional imposition of the Act, Onion Lake, Ochapowace, Thunderchild, Sawridge and Athabasca Chipewyan Nations filed litigation against the federal government. In response, the federal government began its own action. On August 19 and 20th, the First Nations are seeking an injunction to ensure their litigation against the Act moves forward. “This Act is completely misguided and was imposed on First Nations without our consent and without a full and meaningful consultation process. The Crown has a constitutional and legal obligation to fully consult and seek First Nations consent on any decision or action that may potentially impact our recognized and affirmed Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaty Rights,” stated BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson. “We have informed the government on a number of occasions of the flawed nature of the Act including the troubling requirement for public online posting of financial statements of First Nations leadership. This fundamentally reflects a relationship and an approach that suggests Canada knows best with respect to our own governance and accountability measures to our citizens.” “First Nations are not opposed to open, accountable and transparent governance and seek to have this type of information available to our First Nation citizens, however having this information available to the public at large is highly disturbing. The availability of this information has allowed, particularly in British Columbia, media outlets and the general public

to make prejudiced and uninformed opinions about the compensation made available to First Nation leaders. The information available belies the very complicated intersection of economic development and other income provided to leaders whom often hold other positions within the First Nation administration and economic entities. The action taken by Onion Lake, Ochapowace, Thunderchild, Sawridge and Athabasca Chipewyan Nations is significant and BC First Nations will continue to support their challenge against the Act and the Federal government.” concluded Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson. For further information contact: Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson BC Assembly of First Nations 250-852-1143