Transparency needed in the Blood Tribe

By Letter to the Editor on August 21, 2021.

Editor:
Canada has recognized the failure of honouring the Blackfoot and other tribes’ Treaty 7, Sept. 22, 1877, which was the provision of cattle to families of the Blood Tribe. The Blood Tribe Treaty Entitlement Cattle Claim requires Blood Tribe members to vote at a referendum to accept the Settlement Agreement and Trust Agreement. This is the second time the same format is used.
The concern we have as members of the Blood Tribe is the coercion into accepting the Trust Agreement by voting a “YES” to the Trust Agreement. This would automatically approve the Settlement Agreement.
This is wrong. In the Federal Referendum Act, the voters are asked one question, and contrary to the Act we are being asked two questions which can be defined as coercion. We have major concerns in that the previous referendum on the mismanagement of Assets Trust is the total non-accountable nature and conduct of the trustees; i.e. in two years we’ve never had a financial audited statement and a progress report from the trustees, albeit accountability is contained in the Trust Agreement. Today, the trustees still have not honoured and have a major breach of trust on their fiduciary duties.
This is a treaty entitlement, and it appears Chief and council have taken over the role of Canada and are dictating to us the definition of our treaty rights. No consultation was ever provided to membership on the projects and when Canada does not consult with Chief and council, it’s usually a huge outcry of injustice and yet Chief and council can treat its own membership without any voices from our people.
What we now come to realize is that we no longer live in a democracy under Chief and council.
We want to institute an accountable and transparent Chief and council; this is the desire of our people, we want to stop all the nepotism, violations of conflict of interest, lack of financial controls and institute an accountable and transparent leadership that would listen to Blood Tribe members.
In conclusion Blood Tribe members want to receive what’s rightfully their treaty right and receive 100 per cent of the Settlement Agreement.
Blood Tribe advocates for accountability and transparency have met with grass root members and all agree we are suffering from corporate monopolization stopping at the Blood Tribe level, not to the people. The outcome is conflict of interest, financial conflict.
Roger Prairie Chicken
Aapiootskinaa (White Buffalo Horn)