The Issue

We, Band Members of Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nation, unite because our Chief and Council are moving ahead with a $100M casino and hotel project in North Battleford without proper, transparent community involvement.

News link: https://panow.com/2025/10/27/mgbhlm-first-nation-breaks-ground-on-100m-casino-and-hotel-project-in-north-battleford/The

Facts (as we experience them)

Band Members have not received meaningful consultation or full financial reports on the casino past and future project. We believe this breaches our Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nations Financial Administration Law, 2020 (FAL).

• FAL link: https://partii-partiii.fng.ca/fng-gpn-ii-iii/pii/en/item/491386/index.doWe believe this situation ignores our rights under:
• the Indian Act (s. 11 band membership),
• the Constitution Act, 1982 (s. 35 duty to consult), and
• the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (s. 25 protection of collective Indigenous rights).
• Indian Act link: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/Contracts and borrowing decisions appear to be made without a referendum of the membership, creating serious risk for our future.

Band Members have not been provided a clear, accessible picture of the Nation’s overall financial portfolio, including any recent loans, businesses, and investments (such as arrangements reported to involve Morgan Stanley). This lack of transparency increases our concerns.

Why this matters to us

For years, many Band Members feel we have been left in the dark about major financial decisions and deals made in our name. The casino is not a small project—it could change our lands, our finances, and our children’s future—yet many of us only heard about it through rumours and news articles, not from our own leadership.

• We deserve honest answers, open meetings, and a vote before any binding agreements are signed.
• We are exercising our section 35 and section 25 rights to demand fair process, real consultation, and respect for our own laws and standards of governance.

What we want to see happen

We are not against development when it is done transparently and with free, prior, and informed consent. We are asking for:

• A pause on the casino project.Full disclosure of all related contracts and borrowing.
• A proper, independent forensic audit of Nation finances related to the casino and any connected investments.
• A fair referendum where every eligible member can vote “yes” or “no” on the casino project.

If our leaders still refuse to listen, we will ask the Minister to use powers under the Indian Act to investigate and, if needed, call new elections so our Nation can choose leadership that respects our laws and our people.

• Section 74 link: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/section-74.html

We are inspired by other Nations, such as Sucker Creek, who have taken a bold stand to hold their leadership accountable:
https://www.change.org/p/sucker-creek-first-nations-petition-to-remove-chief-and-council

What we demand

Halt the casino project now—until there is full disclosure and a referendum of Band Members.

• A full, independent forensic audit of all casino‑related finances and related investments.
• An investigation under the Indian Act (including the use of section 74 tools), and if our concerns are confirmed and still ignored, removal and/or new elections for Chief and Council.
• Section 74 link: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/section-74.htmlFull respect for our collective and individual rights—protect the Nation, our children, and future generations.

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#NoCasino #MGBHLMUnited #WeThePeople #HumanRights #Section35