Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Chiefs grill FSIN over SIGA

Oct 5, 2011 | 5:17 PM

Saskatchewan Chiefs used impassioned language on Wednesday at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations' Fall Assembly, after the board of the Indian Gaming Authority spent more than $900,000 in the last fiscal year.

The expenses were more than $250,000 over last year's expenses. Some of the speakers, like Shoal Lake Chief Marcel Head, credited the spending increase to unnecessary personal expenditures.

“They're making huge amounts of dollars just for their own benefits,” said the Chief, reciting comments from his community members.

Others accused the SIGA board of mixing business and politics, like English River Chief Ralph Paul.

“Are you wearing the hat of a board member, or as a chief? If you're wearing your hat as a chief you shouldn't be there.”

Lac La Ronge Chief Tammy Cook-Searson didn't support SIGA's rising board costs, but she does support the benefits it's brought to her community.

“We have indoor arenas for our youth, we have community halls.”

Interim FSIN Chief Morley Watson defended the decisions of FSIN leadership, insisting the importance of looking at the big picture.

“There was an increase in board spending, but there was also an increase in profits,” said Watson.

“Maybe our investment for board training, or whatever, did pay off.”

Watson promised a decrease in costs within the next fiscal year, with a reduction goal from $900,000 to $535,000.

news@panow.com