The federal government says it supports, in principle, a private members bill which seeks to amend the Indian Act.

The bill was originally put forward by Desnethe Missinippi Churchill River M-P Rob Clarke, and it calls for giving more responsibility and power to the First Nations themselves, and repeals or removes a number of outdated provisions in the Indian Act.

But the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations doesn't like the bill, saying the government still hasn't consulted with First Nations people on the changes.

The F-S-I-N calls the private members bill a 'red herring' to distract from a lack of comparable education for funding, housing, and healthcare.

The government, though, claims the changes in the new bill will serve to unlock the economic potential of First Nations communities, and give their residents greater access to the same rights as all Canadians.

(pb oct 19/12)