By paNOW Staff

Fond du Lac airport among topics at FSIN Spring Assembly

May 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Spring Legislative Assembly is set to get underway today.

Leaders and dignitaries will gather in the Bridge City today and tomorrow, to discuss a number of key topics in Indigenous country.

Numerous people are set to be honoured, including former NHL player and Ahatahakakoop Cree Nation member Fred Sasakamoose, and Cote First Nation member and Olympic silver medallist Bridgett Lacquette. Sturgeon Lake First Nation band member Cole Sanderson is also set to be honoured.

The family of Arson Fern Jr., the young man who died from his injuries sustained in a plane crash in Fond du Lac and that community’s Chief Louie Mercredi are also set to be honoured.

A press release issued by the FSIN on May 22 stated the organization’s executive fully supported the community’s quest for upgrades to the local airport. Mercredi called the crash 100 per cent avoidable, and said residents and visitors to the fly-in fly-out community are still in danger.

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“It’s not a case of ‘If’ there is another crash, but ‘when,’” he said in the press release. “A new airport is needed immediately.”

Mercredi, and FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron are expected to host a press conference on May 24 “in regards to the Fond du Lac airport.”

According to a link included in the press release, the provincial government has opened a tender process for companies to compete for a Fond du Lac airport runway rehabilitation project. The competition opened on May 15 and closes on May 28.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief and member of the Little Black Bear First Nation, Perry Bellegarde, is scheduled to make opening remarks alongside Minister of Education and Deuputy Premier Gord Wyant on May 24.

Second Vice Chief David Pratt is set to speak on the First Nations Suicide Prevention Strategy along with the recognition of First Nations jurisdiction over cannabis.

Cannabis sales on reserves become a contentions topic in the province, with White Bear considering legal options when it comes to the province dictating which bands can and cannot sell recreational marijuana once it becomes legal. When the province announced its cannabis legislation, the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and the Onion Lake Cree Nation were among 40 communities eligible to receive a retail permit.

Cameron is set to conclude the assembly on May 24, discussing a number of topics relating to his duties as an Assembly of First Nations regional chief like Treaty education, and Treaty and Inherent Rights framework.

The Spring Legislative assembly will feature the sounds of the Round Plain Juniors, from the Wahpeton Dakota Nation who open and close the gathering.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow