The Chief and Council of Onion Lake Cree Nation had 30 days to release its 2017 and 2018 financial statements or face a $10-thousand fine after being found in contempt-of-court, but the deadline has come and gone with no results. Local activist Charmaine Stick has been through the courts with the First Nation before.

The Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation has joined Stick in her efforts. Prairie Director Todd Mackay explains she won a decision in court to have the 2015 and ’16 statements released but when she later asked for the next 2 years, she was told to call her lawyer. She did, and the result was for Onion Lake to be found in contempt-of-court, which the band is now appealing.

MacKay wonders if some of the Onion Lake leadership is hoping Charmaine Stick will give up, but he says the strength of her conviction is steadfast.

The First Nations Financial Transparency Act requires that every chief and council needs to publish their financial statements. MacKay says Stick shouldn’t have to be the one making this happen. It should be the federal government enforcing the Act.