The First Nations Trust was established in 2003 by the Chiefs-in-Assembly during their legislative gathering. Many years of discussion and development paved the way for the Trust. The following timeline includes some of the events and documents that were significant in the establishment and growth of the First Nations Trust.
1994 Gaming Agreement
The FSIN entered into the 1994 Gaming Agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan. The Agreement provided for the revenue sharing arrangement between First Nations and the Provincial government.
Under the 1994 Gaming Agreement, the FSIN and the Province agreed that the First Nations in Saskatchewan would receive 25 percent of the net revenues from two proposed government-run casinos. At the time, casinos were to open in Regina and Saskatoon.
Both casinos were to have a target of 50% employment of First Nations employees.
1995 Gaming Agreement
When the City of Saskatoon referendum results left the Province with only one government-run Casino, the parties negotiated the 1995 Gaming Agreement.
The 1995 Gaming Agreement authorized the operation of four First Nation- run casinos in Saskatchewan operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) in addition to the government run casino in Regina.
2002 Framework Agreement
During 2002, the FSIN and the Province negotiated the 2002 Framework Agreement that consolidated all previous gaming agreements between the parties The Agreement was for a 25 year term with reviews every five years.
The new arrangement provided annual funding to deal with problem gambling. In addition, amendments provided for designated funding to continue the joint effort between FSIN and the Province concerning matters related to on-reserve gaming jurisdiction.
2003 First Nations Trust
As a result of the 2002 Framework Agreement, the First Nations Trust was established when the 2003 Trust Indenture was signed.
Amendments to 2002 Gaming Agreement
Amendments were made to the 2002 Framework Agreement to allow SIGA to operate two additional casinos. The additional casinos were built at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and in the City of Swift Current.
2007 Amending Agreement
During the first five-year review the Parties agreed to amend the 2002 Framework Agreement to include:
- A process for new Gaming Ventures;
- Changing the designated payouts made by First Nations Trust (s.4.1);
- A five-year designated allocation to FSIN for Gaming
- Activities (s. 4.b.1);
- Changing the percentage of the net profits due to First Nations Trust;
- Amending the funding amount due to SLGA from SIGA;
- Revising the designated allocation to the First Nations Addiction Rehabilitation Foundation (FNARF); and
- Changing the requirement of fidelity bonds for the Board of Trustees of the First Nations Trust.
2012 Five year review
During the most recent five year review, the parties were unable to come to agreement on extending the FSIN’s directed allocations of $250,000 per year for FSIN s.2.1 Gaming Jurisdiction and $250,000 per year for FSIN Gaming Activities [from the 2007 amending agreement]. Those allocations ceased in 2012.
2014 Amending Agreement
The Parties signed an amendment on May 21, 2014 to allow SIGA to operate an additional 250 electronic gaming (slot) machines.
2016 Amending Agreement
This amendment was signed in August 2016 and permitted the development of an additional SIGA casino to be located in Lloydminster, SK.
2017 Amending Agreement
During the 2017 five-year review, the FSIN and Saskatchewan agreed to extend the term of the 2002 Framework Agreement an additional 10 years and now will not expire until 2027.