PIAPOT FIRST NATION MEMBERS HAVE CHARTER RIGHTS, TOO

POSTED ON: FEBRUARY 5, 2024 / NEWS RELEASE

REGINA: The Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada (“BMAAAC pronounced “bee mack”) is a registered, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping band members get access to justice. It is the only organization in Canada with such a mandate. 

BMAAAC announced that it will meet with members from the Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan. These members are exercising their right to assemble in a public place to discuss the growing concerns in their community regarding the lack of inclusiveness in the process, as well as the overall decision-making and proposed management, of its compensation funds.

Sheri Kaiswatum, who is a member of the Piapot First Nation, invited BMAAAC and is spearheading a meeting set for Monday, February 12th in Regina at the Mamaweyatitan Centre at 7:30 PM. However, Piapot chief and council have opposed the meeting, calling it “unauthorized” and implied that anyone participating in the February 12th meeting would harm (compensation) negotiations. 

Marty Moore, a Litigation Director at Charter Advocates Canada, is aware of the position taken by the Piapot chief and council. Moore explained, “Based on Justice Favel's 2021 decision in the McCarthy case, Piapot’ chief and council need to respect the protections in the Charter. The freedom to assemble on February 12th to discuss concerns about First Nation governance is a Charter right of each member of Piapot First Nation.”

BMAAAC president, Rob Louie, who is a constitutional scholar, has written on Charter rights and values, including the right to freedom of assembly. President Louie added, “In addition to aboriginal and treaty rights, Band members have Charter rights, too.”

Contact:

BMAAAC

communications@bmaaac.org