Founder John Tootoosis | Founded 1946 | |
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The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), formerly known as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, is a Saskatchewan-based First Nations organization. The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.
Contents
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History
The seeds of the organization were planted when Chiefs and leaders gathered in Fort Qu'Appelle in 1946, emerging with an organization to advocate for the rights of First Nations people -- the Union of Saskatchewan Indians. The Union was created with the merger of two other groups, the Protective Association for the Indians and their Treaties, and the Association of Saskatchewan Indians, (officially incorporated in 1945 with Joe Dreaver as president).
In 1958, the First Nations leaders gathered in Fort Qu'Appelle and reviewed the constitution of the Union, replacing it with a new organization that more fairly represented the First Nations reality. It was decided that the organization be looked upon as a federation of bands and that the power reside in the hands of the Chiefs. The Union evolved into the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians.
In April 1982, the First Nations signed the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Convention and agreed to unite in a common front to protect and preserve First Nations' Treaty rights and their political, economic, social and cultural characteristics. The political convention outlined a governing structure that consisted of the Chiefs-in-Assembly, a Senate, an Elders' Council, an Executive Council and an Indian Government Commission.
In May 2016 the FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly voted to change the name to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
List of Presidents and Chiefs
Presidents and Chiefs of the FSI and FSIN include: