Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations New office building. Sign FSIN-CIRNAC Joint Priorities Agreement

The Executive of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is honoured to work with all First Nations leadership, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and our staff for the FSIN’s New Build Grand Opening. The Executive of FSIN would like to also extend gratitude for the Statement on Joint Priorities signed between Regional Chief Bobby Cameron of the FSIN and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The FSIN is appreciative to open the new office building located on the newly developed sixty acres of indigenous land, owned by the Kahkewistahaw First Nation. Kahkewistahaw Landing is located by Claypool Drive and Airport Drive, the plot of land will give home to new opportunities, vision and above all else, to pave the road for economic prosperity of all First Nations of Saskatchewan.

In the coming years, Kahkewistahaw Landing will be a prestigious Indigenous hub for all First Nations to advance the political, social, and economic diversity of each First Nation who pursues the opportunity to develop and address their unique needs and priorities.

“We build this Treaty Office for all our future leaders who are coming, who will continue to implement and protect Treaty like our ancestors have, since time immemorial. We built it for the babies, as well as the ones that are still unborn, so they have a place to continue to promote, protect and implement Treaty.

That is why we built it. Thank you Kahkewistahaw Chief and Council for your vision to buy land, your vision for infrastructure and economic development.

A Treaty-based economy,” stated Regional Chief Bobby Cameron of the FSIN.

“The Statement on Joint Priorities acknowledges the importance of honouring the Treaty relationship, a legal, binding obligation. This reaffirms our commitment to an ongoing partnership with the First Nations in Saskatchewan. Actions on these specific Priorities will be driven by you and your unique needs and priorities, and how you envision your own economic, political, and social future,” stated the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller.

The FSIN is continually pro - moting, protecting, and implementing the inherent and Treaty rights of all First Nations. The New Build office space will be an excellent place for First Nations leaders to meet, coordinate, and plan for their community’s advancement in economic diversity.

As the Christmas season is upon us, it seems now more than ever we need to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Christ Mass (Manitou Kisikaw), a time for people who are affiliated Christianity regardless of denomination or one’s personal spiritual relationship with Christ.

Many Indigenous people who embrace Christ as a conduit for god; our Creator. Similar to those of other spiritual conduits/protectors, just as those like the spirit of the Buffalo, Eagle, Wolf, horse, etc.

So for many, Christmas is spiritual, reminding us the true meaning of love, the love for family and friends, humanity and all the life forms. For many it is not only a time to reach out to loved ones, with us today, but also to remember the loved ones who have gone ahead of us to the spirit world.

For myself, personally, as it might be for others, it’s a time of deep mixed emotions, a time of festivity and visiting with loved ones, and a time to remember past cherished memories of Christmases before.

This year I want my loved ones to know how much I treasure them and how much they mean to me. My 2 sons, Mason and Kass, my dad Jordy, my mom Marlene, my sister Jody and her beautiful children. My extended family those from English River First Nation, Moosomin First Nation and my Metis relatives scattered throughout the prairie provinces.

Sometimes I think of the saying “God works in mysterious ways” and gets me thinking where things are at today. For instance, with the rate of inflation and the cost of living, becoming unmanageably high for many people. It is sad and worrying, that many will not have the finances to provide a bountiful Christmas, it may be not be of comfort to those families in that situation. But it could put us in a situation that guides us to a natural path back to the true meaning of Christmas, away from Santa Clause and back to Christ, back to god; our Creator.

Now looking at a New Year, my hope is that we face the New Year on a spiritual foundation which will give us the strength to face all adversities of life.

Looking back at 2022, I want to take this opportunity to thank those who supported our Indigenous Times team, sharing your stories, supporting our publishing cost by advertisements. From myself and the Indigenous Times team, sincerely, may you have a wonderful Christmas and a good New Year.

We thank you.

Ekosi

Jordan LaPlante; Editor

Indigenous Times News Box 280 Cochin, SK S0M-0L0

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