UOI OFFICES,
"The Elders remind us that nowhere in our treaties did First Nations agree to pay taxes to any other nation," said Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. "First Nations are still trying to recover our rightful share of the resource wealth generated from our traditional lands, never mind contributing any more. We are not subjects of the Crown, which since 1763 has recognized us as distinct Nations."
Madahbee said now is the time for both levels of government to work as partners with First Nations to help them achieve economic independence, rather than saddle them with more financial burdens.
"It seems contradictory for these governments that tell the world how hard they are working to eliminate First Nations poverty to be jumping at this opportunity for a cash grab from the poorest people in
Chiefs of the four Anishinabek regions representing 42 member First Nations were unanimous in their stance on the so-called Harmonized Sales Tax.
"One Nation cannot tax another without their consent, and we have never given that consent to any government," said Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowininini, Chief of Serpent River First Nation and Lake Huron Region Grand Chief "International standards of the treaty-making process are clear: monetary and fiscal arrangements between nations must entail negotiations, not impositions. The Constitution of
J.R. Marsden, Chief of Alderville First Nation and Grand Chief of the Southeast Region, criticized the province for not urging the federal government to follow the Ontario example of exempting First Nations from sales tax at the point of sale.
"The technology exists to make this happen. Indian Affairs
Lake Superior Regional Grand Chief
"We understand that the New Democratic Party opposes the proposed new harmonized tax, along with church and charity groups, senior citizens, as well as all lower-income families. Together we will represent a substantial coalition at election time."
"Time and again we have had to seek remedies to these injustices in domestic and international courts.
The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 41 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
For further information: Marci Becking, Communications Officer, Union of Ontario Indians, (705) 497-9127 ext. 2290, Cell: (705) 494-0735, [email protected]
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