WINNIPEG: Frustrated residents from the Lake St. Martin First Nations reserve took their grievances with allegedly corrupt band officials to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation offices in Winnipeg, following a four-day protest march.

"Canadian taxpayers should demand accountability from Ottawa for its reckless spending on First Nations reserves," said Victor Vrsnik, CTF Provincial Director. "Federal support for First Nations should primarily be directed to individuals not bureaucracies and band council."

Of the $4.5 billion that Indian Affairs spends on Canada's reserves, over 80 percent winds-up in the hands of band councils, not individual residents. "Sending support payments to individuals through band councils first, is as preposterous a system as Ottawa steering welfare cheques through municipal governments," said Vrsnik.

In the meantime, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation supports independent financial and operational audits of grants to native reserves to satisfy the complaints by First Nations protestors and Canadian taxpayers who expect value for their dollar.

The estimated time of arrival of the protest march is 2pm at the CTF offices, 267 Edmonton Street. Victor Vrsnik will be available for comment.