Today at the Dauphin Friendship Centre, First Nations councils within Treaty 2 are meeting for the special session.
Norman Bone, chief of Keeseekoowenin First Nation, says they are talking about child family services and Bill S3.
“They are important to talk about because they inform us or brief us as to what’s going on in Canada and for us, it’s important when we’re in a position to rebuild our own governance ability.”
Bill S3 is in place to amend the Indian Act in regards to membership.
“It’s difficult for us because we are being asked to amend the Indian Act. At the same time, it’s been our source of difficulty as First Nations. We’d prefer to have our own discussions of membership in our own setting as First Nations people in terms of how we’d maintain and get control over it for our own journey.”
Today’s session is set up in a way for everyone to be able to respond, not just chiefs and elders.
Chief Bone is looking forward to everyone participating in the discussions while preparing for enjoying the activities that are going on as well.