Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 13/98) - Aboriginal people are embracing financial accountability, Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine told 250 accountants gathered in Yellowknife last week.

Referring to a recent memorandum of understanding, signed by First Nations and the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, Fontaine said the move "demonstrates we are responsible people -- that we belief in providing good government."

Signed by Fontaine and CGA-Canada chairman and CEO Eric Bartlett earlier this year, the memorandum will establish a framework for financial reporting and control, a code of ethics and enhance accounting skills of First Nations.

"If we can demonstrate commitment to this process, we will all be better off," he said.

It also shows First Nations support transparency when it comes to spending.

Fontaine also said it is unfortunate the Reform Party attempted to discredit the entire aboriginal community by highlighting the Stony Plain First Nations financial controversy.

Alberta's Stony Plain grabbed headlines when massive irregularities emerged over millions of dollars in federal funding.

Bartlett said the memorandum opens up the association's accounting and educational to First Nations.

Financial accountability was one of several topics Fontaine touched on during his hour keynote address Thursday at the CGA-Canada annual meeting.

Fontaine added First Nations are considering having an auditor general.

He also spoke about the legacy of pain left by residential schools as well as adoption policies that separated families.

"Someone decided any home other than an Indian home was better," he said.

Fontaine said during the recent national assembly in Toronto a 34-year-old woman told him she was his first cousin.

"It was the first time I had seen her."

Despite these challenges, First Nations have "survived and thrived."

Just 20 years ago, First Nations had 800 people in post-secondary education facilities in Canada. Today, there are 30,000 aboriginal students.

The number grew because in 1972 delivery of education at the local level became the responsibility of First Nations.