Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations


The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, formerly known as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, is a Saskatchewan-based First Nations organization. The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.

Early history

Precursors to the FSIN include, in 1919, the establishment of the Indian League of Canada, based in Ontario, that led to the League holding an annual congress in Saskatchewan, in 1921, at the Thunderchild First Nation. In 1929, The League of Indians of Western Canada is formed, with John Tootoosis of the Poundmaker First Nation the first president. In 1933, a group of Saskatchewan "Treaty #4 First Nations; Pasqua, Piapot, and Muscowpetung," known as the Allied Bands, reorganize to become the Saskatchewan Treaty Protection Association then later, Protective Association for Indians and their Treaties. In 1943, The Association of Saskatchewan Indians, led by Joe Dreaver, is formed and quickly grows to become one of the largest bodies representing First Nations in the province.
Then "the Premier of Saskatchewan, T.C. Douglas became involved. Premier Douglas was concerned about the plight of First Nations people in Saskatchewan. He was interested in helping to unite the three major First Nations organizations in the province." Chiefs and leaders gathered in Fort Qu'Appelle in 1946, amalgamating provincial groups to become the Union of Saskatchewan Indians with John Tootoosis as President. The Union was created with the merger of at least two other groups, the Protective Association for the Indians and their Treaties, and the Association of Saskatchewan Indians,.
In 1958, the First Nations leaders gathered in Fort Qu'Appelle once again, and reviewed the constitution of the Union, replacing it with a new organization that more fairly represented the First Nations reality, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians, and organized as a non-profit. It was decided that the organization be looked upon as a federation of bands and that the power reside in the hands of the Chiefs. The Union dropped its non-profit status and evolved into the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations at the convention of 69 Saskatchewan Indian Chiefs in April 1982. The political convention outlined a governing structure that consisted of the Chiefs-in-Assembly, a Senate, an Elders' Council, an Executive Council and an Indian Government Commission for the FSIN.
In May 2016 the FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly voted to change the name to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, retaining the acronym FSIN.

Early activism

The intent of FSIN and its precursors, was the defense and protection treaty rights, land and resources, and came from the desire to "foster economic, educational and social growth" of their people.

The land

Saskatchewan Indian Agricultural Program (SIAP)

Government policies ensured that First Nations farmers found it difficult to farm. With the advent of SIAP governments were passing some control over to indigenous farmers and "...SIAP offered opportunities for Aboriginal peoples to learn about and gain skills in the agricultural sector" "In the 1970s , the groundwork was laid by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians, the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture, the University of Saskatchewan and the Department of Indian and Northern Development" for SIAP. Another source reports Harold Greyeyes and the "Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Administration, in co-operation with the FSIN," established SIAP in 1974. A third source states "SIAP was created under the guidance of Alex Kennedy, a First Nations farmer born in Little Pine First Nation, the first chairman of SIAP – and the second chairman of the former FSIN." Regardless, SIAP was funded in 1975, incorporated in 1978, and ended in 1995, though another source states 2002.
SIAP aimed to 'promote interest in the agriculture industry, develop economically viable farm units and to improve the productive capacity of Indian reserve lands.' Alex Kennedy "envisioned farming and agriculture as ideal initiatives to regain lands leased out to non-Indigenous farmers and carve out an agricultural economy for Indigenous communities. A significant component of the SIAP strategy was education and training courses to integrate both farming techniques and farm business literacy to prospective First Nations farmers." In 1977, SIAP was described as "originally intended to establish 350 individual farm units over the initial 5 year period. However, the thrust of the program is being modified with major emphasis now on the development of large band owned farms." An article published by the Ag. Rep. in the February 1979 Saskatchewan Indian profiles only four successful band farms, including Star Blanket, and notes reasons for the failure of others. SIAP and its efforts were also profiled in 1981. As of 1989, "SIAP has diversified its activities into a number of areas, including wild rice, alfalfa farming, ethanol production, game ranching, and fish farming." "At its 'zenith … created 600 viable farm units, a marketing company, a loan company and a venture capital company'." In 1993, Ken Thomas made a presentation to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, outlining the successes of the program. Gerald Starr, a Tom Longboat Award Winner from 1952, Manager of Star Blanket Farm, is recorded as Chairman of the Board in the 1980s.
"Although small portions of present-day Saskatchewan include lands from Treaty 2 and Treaty 7, the five major historical or numbered treaties of this province are Treaty 4, Treaty 5, Treaty 6, Treaty 8, and Treaty 10."
Over many years the FSI attempted to be recognized and participate in discussions and decisions around the "repatriation" of the Constitution of Canada. These efforts are reported in the Saskatchewan Indian. In April 1982 the First Nations signed the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Convention, and agreed to unite in a common front to protect and preserve First Nations' Treaty rights and their political, economic, social and cultural characteristics.
In 1989 the FSIN and the Government of Canada agreed to "create an independent and impartial office which, at that time, would serve to research and provide recommendations on the issues of treaty land entitlement and education for First Nations in Saskatchewan," called the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. This Office's mandate was expanded and the term extended for another 5 years which then stretched to 10 years. This remains in existence today.

Educational and social growth

Colleges

SIAP offered courses in the agricultural sector, sometimes through or at the premises of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College and/or the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and/or at the Saskatchewan Indian Community College.
The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College was established in 1972. Its name changed to Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre and eventually, the in 2016. It was established as a teaching institution to strengthen and support the overall First Nations education and cultural awareness of First Nations People. It was the first First Nations controlled educational institution serving at the provincial level.
The Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, proposed in 1971 and an eventual spin-off of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College, was established in 1976 and immediately federated with the University of Regina in May of that same year. "Initially, it offered a Bachelor of Arts Program in Indian Studies within the Faculty of Arts. Other accredited programs were subsequently developed and implemented: Indian Art, Indian Education, Indian Management and Administration, and Indian Social Work Education. All these programs are academically integrated with their respective University of Regina facilities. Ida Wasacase was the first director of the SIFC." was the first lecturer. In 1996, 30 years after inception, it remained "the only Indian-controlled, university-level college in the country." In 2003, its name changed to the First Nations University of Canada and gained a new vision statement “The First Nations University of Canada provides an opportunity for students of all nations to learn in an environment of First Nations cultures and values. The university is a special place of learning where we recognize the spiritual power of knowledge and where knowledge is respected and promoted,” and a new building by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal.
Founded as the Saskatchewan Indian Community College in 1976, apparently as a off-shoot of the Federated College with a focus on adult education programs, and awarding certificates and diplomas in various technological and vocational fields, SICC's name changed to Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies in 1985. In 2000, the province enacted the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Act that acknowledged the school as a full, post-secondary institution.

Selection of publications

The record for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians clearly shows a time frame for their publications, based on items held at various libraries. Roughly 84 works from 1970 - 1985 are recorded, published in one language. The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Identity record clearly shows a stronger record of publishing, with roughly 168 works in more languages, from 1982-83 to 2015-16. There have not been a significant number of publications held at libraries, published by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. There have been publications from Committees and Task Forces, plus the Colleges and University, not included under the names listed above.
Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation, established in 1986, is now the In 2002-03 it amalgamated with SIAP's Saskatchewan Indian Loan Company and the Inpro West Investment Corporation.

Honours awarded

The Chiefs Assembly honoured Gwendolyn Lucy O'Soup Crane for her lifetime achievements and recognized her as Canada's first female, First Nations Chief, first elected under the current electoral system.

List of Presidents and Chiefs

Presidents and Chiefs of the FSI and FSIN include: