First Nations need to act now:  Madahbee

OTTAWA, ON - December 10, 2009 – Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee is calling on all First Nation citizens to action in a fight against Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax. 

“We need to action take action now,” says Madahbee who is the leader of the Anishinabek Nation.  “I encourage other groups in Ontario to keep up the fight against the HST as well.”

Grand Council Chief also reminds government that we are not subjects of the Crown.  Our citizens do not have to pay taxes to any other nations.

Madahbee and other First Nations leaders at the special Assembly of First Nations meeting in Ottawa unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming their sovereignty as Nations as reflected in our treaty relationships with the Crown.

The resolution also declares that First Nations have never relinquished or surrendered their sovereignty or autonomy to the governments of France, Britain, Canada or provincial governments. 

The Assembly of First Nations declared that they are opposed to a system of taxation on its citizens or governments by other external governments and also recognize and support other First Nations that oppose the HST.

Leaders at the assembly unanimously agreed to support and participate in any action plans or direct action strategies by First Nations that oppose the HST. 

The AFN is the national organization in Canada that represents over 630 First Nation communities.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949.  The UOI is a political advocate for 41 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people.  The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.