FSIN fighting Goods and Services Tax

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A Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) official says Native people should not have to pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Treaties exempt Indians from any sort of taxation, said FSIN third vice-chief Roy Bird. He told a delegation of chiefs from across the province attending a Saskatoon conference that treaty Indians across the country must lobby to keep the GST from affecting them.

Bird said he is disappointed that Indian organizations in only two provinces are waging a fight against the GST.

"The Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) has responded and the FSIN are the only ones working with the National Taxation Committee to fight the GST," he said. "It seems the Assembly of First Nations and other Native organizations are too preoccupied(with other matters)."

Treaty 8 bands in northern Alberta are also challenging the GST in court in hopes of being exempted. Bird said he realizes time is running out, but the FSIN will fight it because of the damaging effect the GST will have on treaty people.

"Presently Indian people living on reserves are exempt from paying any tax. But this January the GST will also affect treaty people," he said.

He said FSIN officials are making an effort this month to meet all tribal councils and Indian bands to discuss the impact the GST will have on treaty Indians.

"We are fighting it legally and politically, but if we fail we have to be responsible. We must make sure people are aware of how to make use of the GST when it's passed," said Bird.

He says the GST will affect Indian farmers, trappers, fishermen and stores and that only as a group can treaty people try and stop the tax from "taking away our treaty rights."

Bird said the GST, once passed, could open the doors to treaty Indians paying other taxes as well like Saskatchewan's Education and Health Tax.

"Maybe we'll have to pay both. I think the Saskatchewan government is trying to collect E&H especially on licenses for commercially-used Indian vehicles," he said.

He said the FSIN stand is based on inherent treaty rights. "We paid for our treaty rights when we gave up Indian Land.

"Treaties were signed collectively and now the FSIN would like to see a joint effort against the GST. It may be too late but we owe it to our people to brig all Indian people together to fight the GST in a common arena," Bird stressed.

The GST and its effect on businesses is to be discussed at a FSIN conference and trade show in Saskatoon Nov. 26-28.