News & Events
SCO deals with a wide range of issues
December 12, 2009
For the first time in its 11-year history The Southern Chiefs' Organization held a summit at the Peguis First Nation, which has the largest membership of any First Nation in Manitoba.
Chiefs and Proxies addressed a wide range of issues and approved 13 resolutions.
One of the resolutions, which had been moved by Chief Terrance Nelson of Roseau River, called for an International Year of Action in pursuit of recognized Treaty and Inherent rights and self-determination.
The summit also supported two gaming-related resolutions. One resolution sought a transfer - from AMC to SCO - in responsibility for identifying and selecting future First Nation gaming facilities in southern Manitoba. This resolution referred to First Nations that fell within Treaties 1-5 as well as the Dakotas.
The other gaming resolution called for SCO to politically oppose any attempts to pass GST charges on to SCO First Nations. The resolution also called for a review and renegotiation of VLT agreements and all corresponding policies and administration in order to meet the needs and requirements of Southern First Nations and rectifying inequities in existing VLT agreements.
The resolution also called for the establishment of a First Nations Gaming Commission, accountable to First Nations in administering gaming issues for First Nation communities.
Other resolutions approved at the summit dealt with medical transportation, Jordan's Principle, SCO children's committee representation, national child and family services and First Nations' children's issues, support for Onashowewin, support for Spirit Wind, support for southern First Nation farmers, and regional retention of funds for the CEOP program. Two resolutions relating to Manitoba Hydro were also passed. (See Grand Chief Swan Shannacappo's column on another page of this newspaper).