FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2020
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) held a Taxation Summit on March 9, 2020 to discuss Manitoba’s infringement on our jurisdiction over tobacco tax management and taxation on First Nation lands. The SCO brought in national leading expert on taxation, Chief Commissioner Manny Jules, of the First Nations Tax Commission to discuss the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMA) and options for a path forward.
“Too often First Nation communities are removed from the economy,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “By considering all options available to us, we can better determine and create systems that bring economic development, self-sufficiency, and prosperity to our communities.”
Summit discussions focused on using taxation as a fundamental economic power for communities and self-governance, along with options available to the 34 member-First Nations of southern Manitoba through the FNFMA. The Act enables First Nations to participate more fully in the Canadian economy. The Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nation Chiefs of Manitoba determined by resolution future steps regarding taxation.
Legal Counsel for Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Sonny Cochrane, presented on the impending legal challenge of the Province’s Tobacco Tax Rebate program with the Chiefs passing a resolution confirming their support and calling on the Province to respect and honour First Nations’ jurisdiction.
The SCO Chiefs passed three Resolutions at their Taxation Summit:
- Chiefs confirmed support for Brokenhead Ojibway Nation’s legal challenge of the Province’s Tobacco Tax Rebate program, and call on the Province to respect and honour First Nations’ jurisdiction and act in good faith when dealing with First Nations in respect to taxation.
- Directs the Grand Chief to set up a Chiefs’ Committee on Taxation to lead on a common table that includes the Provincial and Federal governments to address First Nations’ taxation issues in a systematic approach, and develop a protocol that addresses all outstanding Treaty issues and inherent right to taxation.
- Explores the creation and implementation of an Anishinaabe and Dakota-led Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority, and that the Grand Chief engage in discussions with all orders of government on the current state of the Liquor and Gaming Authority in Manitoba.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations of Manitoba and serves to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
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For Media Inquiries:
Vic Savino, Communications Officer
Phone: (204) 946-1869 | Email: Vic.Savino@scoinc.mb.ca
Background Information PDF: FNFMA Backgrounder
For Original PDF Release: SCO Taxation Summit Media Release