AMC Chiefs-In-Assembly Move Forward on First Nations Gaming in Manitoba

Press Release

Treaty One Territory, MB – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) concluded a two-day Chiefs Assembly on Gaming today, with a strongly endorsed mandate for the AMC to advance First Nations’ inherent jurisdiction and rights in Gaming in Manitoba.

“The Chiefs-in-Assembly expressed their frustration and concern that First Nations in Manitoba have been ignored by the Province of Manitoba on Gaming priorities for too long,” said AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas. “Despite having the inherent jurisdiction in the area of Gaming, the AMC has always been willing to work with the province of Manitoba. A renewed relationship on Gaming with the government of Manitoba is needed to ensure that all people living in Manitoba benefit from Gaming activities in the province. That said, Canada, in its relationship with First Nations, has not reconciled the fact that it has, unilaterally and without consultation, granted the control and regulation of gaming through the Criminal Code to the provinces. Today, the Chiefs reaffirmed First Nations’ jurisdiction in this area with the development of a First Nations Gaming Authority. They also identified the need for Canada to address outstanding Gaming issues, and I will follow that up with all federal parties in Ottawa.”

First Nations have long called for the province of Manitoba to honour the commitments made to First Nations on Gaming. First Nations are continually told that the market is saturated, but this appears to be only if First Nations want to advance Gaming; meanwhile, the Province continues to expand its own Gaming interests and offerings. Specifically, in 2018, the provincial government announced a provincial review of Gaming; however, to date, no discussions have been initiated with First Nations. Of further concern is last month’s announcement from Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister of a 100-day action plan that, among other things, includes: “Direct Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to adjust VLT revenue sharing agreements to 30:70 with Veterans’ organizations until the end of the provincial Gaming review.”

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said, “It is unacceptable that a table with AMC has not been established as part of this review with many shared challenges that need to be addressed. AMC fully supports Veterans, but we are calling for an even playing field. First Nations in Manitoba are being left behind. The Province has forced us to pursue expensive legal avenues, while other provincial jurisdictions work in partnership with First Nations to advance Gaming in a responsible and fair manner.” Grand Chief Dumas added, “We will continue to assert our inherent rights to Gaming, and I thank the Chiefs for their important decisions and mandate to move forward. We call on Manitoba to immediately engage with First Nations on this important file.”

During the Assembly, the Chiefs were informed of the provincial Gaming revenues for 2018/19 that totaled almost $335 million, and that the province of Manitoba does not currently share Gaming revenues with First Nations,. As well, the Chiefs-in-Assembly discussed that in some other provincial jurisdictions, there are arrangements and agreements for sharing net Gaming revenues with First Nations. As such, the Assembly directed the Grand Chief and AMC Chiefs Gaming Committee to develop a Gaming revenue sharing model for all types of Gaming in Manitoba.

The Chiefs-in-Assembly also passed a resolution for the AMC to conduct its own review of Gaming in Manitoba. They also directed Grand Chief Dumas to prioritize the Gaming file and take a more active role on it, including working very closely with the AMC Chiefs Gaming Committee.

Grand Chief Dumas concluded, “I am pleased the Chiefs-in-Assembly directed my office and the Gaming Committee to prioritize and advance this file. While Manitoba benefits from Gaming revenues, First Nations do not. This is not consistent with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission or Manitoba’s own The Path to Reconciliation Act.”

-30-

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) people.

For more information, please contact:

Andrew Thunder

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

Email: athunder@manitobachiefs.com

Phone: (204) 987-4139

IBF5