First Nations' case against Transparency Act becoming clear

The lawyer for the Onion Lake Cree Nation says itwould readily provide all the information Ottawa wants under its First Nations Financial Transparency Act under one condition.

That the information not be made public on the internet.

The federal government is taking eight First Nations to court to force them to comply with the legislation. It has suspended funding to these bands except for that which covers essential services.

The money we're talking about is Indian money.- Robert Hladun

Robert Hladun is the band's lawyer.

He told the judge that the band already does annual audited statements that follow federal protocols.

These findings are available to band members.

Hladun said making this information public online would hurt the band because it has information related to confidential business dealings.

Further, he said it's not taxpayers' money.

"The money we're talking about is Indian money," he said.

The hearing is scheduled to run two days.