The Takla Lake First Nation is one of 52 First Nations' governments - including 12 in B.C. -facing sanctions from the federal government for not complying with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act.
In a statement issued Wednesday, aboriginal affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt said the government will begin withholding funding to noncompliant First Nations for nonessential programs, services and activities; as well as withholding new funding for nonessential program proposals; and seeking court orders to force First Nations governments that have indicated they will not comply with the legislation to comply.
"I have directed that the sanctions not target essential services that support band members," Valcourt said in a written statement. "The act applies the same principles of transparency and accountability to First Nations that already exist for other governments in Canada and also helps to empower any person... to hold governments accountable by seeking a court order for the publication of documents if the requirements of the act are not fulfilled."
Under the First Nation Financial Transparency Act, aboriginal groups had until July 29 to post their audited financial statements online, and report the pay of their chiefs and councillors. Of the five First Nations with offices in Prince George, only the Kwadacha Nation had complied by the July deadline.
Only 275 of 582 registered First Nations across the country had met the government's imposed deadline. As of Wednesday, 529 First Nations had reported their financial statements - and one Ontario-based First Nation was given an extension due to flooding - to the government, which has posted the reports online.
Locally the Kwadacha, Lheidli T'enneh, Tsay Keh Dene and Yakooche nations are all now in compliance with the act.
According to information released by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Takla Lake First Nation has a registered population of 765 people, of which 397 live in the nation's 17 reserves and settlements.
Although the nation has a financial services office based in Prince George, the majority of the settlements are located near Takla Lake, located approximately 360 kilometres northwest of the city.
In the 2012-13 fiscal year, the federal government provided nearly $3.55 million in funding to the Takla First Nation for programs including education, housing, negotiation readiness, economic development and other services.
Takla Lake Chief Anita Williams could not be reached for comment as of press time.
