Saskatchewan joined with Canada and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations to establish the Common Table to identify and facilitate effective processes for negotiating and implementing self-government arrangements. Under the Common Table, the Parties discuss jurisdictional and fiscal arrangements as they relate to the development of First Nations' self-government in Saskatchewan.
The Common Table process is structured as follows:
Common Table - The Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Provincial Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations.
Fiscal Relations Table - Established under the Common Table, this table provides forum at the officials level to discuss fiscal matters related to the implementation of First Nations' self-government in Saskatchewan.
Governance Table - Second tripartite table established under the Common Table, which provides the forum for officials to explore the nature, structure and mandate of First Nations' self-government, and possible roles and responsibilities of First Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan on a range of governance, jurisdictional and programming matters.
While separate Tables, the Fiscal Relations Table and the Governance Table work in parallel and inform each other on overlapping matters.
First Nations and Métis Relations is the lead Saskatchewan government agency for the purposes of the Common Table and each of its sub-tables.
Chronology of Events…
| 1996: | The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan sign a Protocol Agreement on October 31 establishing the Common Table. |
| 1997: | The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan sign a Memorandum of Understanding on August 5 establishing the Fiscal Relations Table. |
| 1998: | The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan sign separate workplans for the Fiscal Relations Table and Governance Table. |
| 2000: | The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Canada and Saskatchewan sign the Framework for Governance of Treaty First Nations on May 27. This Framework guides the conduct of governance and fiscal negotiations among the signatories. |
For related documents please see the following:
