Government may bypass FSIN, Premier says

By JASON WARICKAND DAVID HUTTON, The StarPhoenix September 16, 2011 •Story•Photos ( 1 )•Video ( 1 ) ICON
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations interim Chief Morley Watson speaks to the media about SIGA and FSIN issues at the FSIN offices on Packham Avenue on Thursday.Photograph by: Gord Waldner, The Starphoenix, The StarPhoenixThe provincial government may start to bypass the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and deal more directly with tribal councils and individual First Nations “who are doing great things,” in light of recent revelations about the FSIN and its Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), Premier Brad Wall said Friday.

“What we’ve seen in the last number of months at the FSIN, first with the chief (Guy Lonechild) situation and now with SIGA, gives this government pause,” Wall told reporters Friday in Saskatoon.

“At the end of the day, we want results for First Nations people. . . . Perhaps the best way to achieve that is to work directly with the First Nations and tribal councils, and less with the FSIN.”

Wall said he has “some real concerns” about Edward “Dutch” Lerat’s continued involvement with SIGA and will be writing to ask officials to reconsider who’s in charge of that file.

“It just isn’t giving anyone any confidence,” Wall said.

Wall said there are also concerns about recent reports of heavy administration costs for a SIGA fund meant to benefit First Nations sports and culture programs and a questionable insurance settlement SIGA accepted following a $1.2-million ATM scam.

“I think we have some real concerns about what’s happening at SIGA in a general sense,” Wall said.

“Obviously, given the events of the past in this province in SIGA, we have a real concern about the people the FSIN has assigned to basically be in charge of the file. I think a lot of people in the province would have that concern as well.”

Wall noted the five-year gaming agreement between the province and the FSIN is up for renewal before the end of this calendar year. Wall said if his party remains in power after this fall’s election, it will be “asking some very pointed questions.” Wall added that’s already happening to an extent.

“(The government is) asking some very pointed questions about where the dollars are going and about whether or not this is the right action to take, to have Mr. Lerat, who obviously has a history with respect to SIGA.”

Wall repeated his position that the FSIN is “not a government in and of themselves. They are an association.”

Federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan was not available Friday to discuss the FSIN, but his office issued the following statement: “Our department is monitoring this situation and we will ensure that the terms and conditions of any funding agreements we have with this organization are respected.”

The StarPhoenix revealed this week that Lerat, now an FSIN vice-chief, has been active on SIGA policy matters as recently as this week, even though he still has an open lawsuit against SIGA and the FSIN. The wrongful dismissal suit stems from his firing as SIGA CEO in 2000 after hundreds of thousands of dollars could not be traced.

FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson was asked about Lerat’s involvement at a news conference Thursday. Watson, who is serving as interim chief of the FSIN following the recent buyout of former chief Lonechild, said Watson assured him the lawsuit would be withdrawn. As of Friday afternoon, however, the lawsuit remained active at Saskatoon’s Court of Queen’s Bench. Lerat’s Regina lawyer could not be reached for comment.

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