The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations questions the legality of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements between the federal and the Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba provincial governments and is going to introduce a Statement of Claim to challenge the Act in Court along with the Saskatchewan First Act.

FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear says Treaties came before the NRTA which was signed in the 1930s, giving the three provinces jurisdiction over natural resources, so it is unlawful because Treats state that resources are supposed to be shared. “It transferred ‘assumed’ control and administration of lands and resources to the provinces in the 1930s and since this time everyone benefits from the resources extracted from our territories except for the First Nations.” She suggests the Saskatchewan First Act is a continuation of colonial and racist doctrines, especially when the province says they have exclusive jurisdiction over the natural resources within Treaty territories and lands. Treaties state sharing the land to the depth of the plow, but Vice Chief Bear says there was never any discussion about lower depths underground or water.

Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin says Indigenous Treaty people are the original rights holder and stewards to the resources and minerals extracted from these lands. As stewards we have a responsibility over our lands and resources to protect, and anything that is extracted is done in a respectful manner that does not harm our mother earth.” She reiterated that resources should be shared as partners.

Chief Michael Starr of Star Blanket Cree Nation also considers the NRTA illegal, by not including First Nations in resource sharing. “Stealing if you will. Taking it away from us, and all our ancestors wanted was for mutual benefits to all of us, so our little ones can grow together to help one another, to get educated together and to work together in harmony and goodwill.”