FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron attended a candidates forum in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Indigenous rights

FSIN Chief happy with election results

Apr 29, 2025 | 2:00 PM

The Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is pleased with Monday’s election results.

During the five week campaign, Bobby Cameron publicly encouraged Indigenous people to get out and vote, and according to actual voter turnout numbers his message was received loud and clear.

“You know we’re pretty happy that our First Nations did exercise their right to vote and when we do, you know the power is there and we’re a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

The election of Liberal candidate Buckley Belanger in the northern riding of Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River now provides Saskatchewan a seat at the Liberal government table.

Cameron believes the former Mayor and MLA has a good knowledge of the issues in northern communities such as housing, drinking water and addictions. Belanger also likes how accessible Belanger is by phone.

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“I spoke to him this morning already and that’s how accessible he is and I congratulated him and wished him luck and and we already hit the ground running here at the FSIN.”

With respect to the issues they discussed, Cameron referenced First Nations gaming on reserve and Bill 268 which is close to being passed and will recognize that right.

The FSIN has also been calling for the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA), signed 100 years ago, to be torn up.

“First nations should not be the poorest people in this country, but here we are struggling for housing along with other issues that impact us on reserve. We should we should be one of the richest people in Canada. There’s more than enough resources to go around.”

Cameron noted Belanger was very receptive to the conversation and to actioning some of the priority areas. Acknowledging Belanger will need some time to get settled in, Cameron remains positive about the work that can be done.

“We’re ready as First Nations people and we’ve been ready. We’ve been voicing our opinion and direction for several years,” Cameron said.

Going forward, the FSIN plans to seek an early meeting with the Prime Minister and key cabinet ministers and Cameron noted everything they do as an organization is based on the inheritance of treaty rights which includes housing, justice, economic development, natural resources, hunting, fishing and trapping.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social