Landmark Appeal Court victory re-enforces financial transparency for First Nations

REGINA, SK: Grassroots people in First Nations communities have the right to know how their leaders are spending the bands’ money, according precedent-setting Court of Appeal ruling Onion Lake Cree Nation v Charmaine Stick and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “I’ve spent years fighting for transparency and this victory has me dancing with my kids,” said Stick. “Traditions of transparency are rooted in natural laws that apply to every leader and every level of government in every culture. This Appeal Court ruling empowers grassroots people in First Nations communities to hold their leaders accountable.” The CTF partnered with Stick to launch a court application requiring her leaders at Onion Lake to publish audited financial statements as well as the salaries and expenses paid to chief and council as required by The First Nations Financial Transparency Act.