First Nations chiefs say they won't sign federal funding agreements
- Fraser Needham | March 30, 2014
A number of First Nations are voicing their displeasure with what they say is the unfair way the Harper government is conducting funding agreements.
Nine leaders from Aboriginal communities held a press conference in Saskatoon on Mar. 21 to say they won't be signing current federal funding agreements or will be doing so only under duress.
Onion Lake First Nation Chief Wallace Fox is one of the leaders who says he has no intention of signing the current funding agreement and adds he is willing to forgo the consequences.
"It's legalized extortion and I said that last year state sanctioned extortion of their policy, either you sign or you starve," he says.
The First Nations leaders say the federal government is requiring them to comply with onerous auditing standards that no other party is required to meet in order to qualify for the transfer of funds.
Thunderchild First Nation Chief Delbert Wapass adds he can't understand why First Nations have to present audited financial statements for ventures that do not use federal funds.
"Why are First Nations asked to do a consolidated audit on their businesses when you've used no dollars of INAC money to create those businesses?" he asks.
The leaders say it makes little difference which party is in power in Ottawa and that the latest moves by the Harper government are just part of a long term strategy to strip Indigenous people of their treaty rights beginning with the introduction of the Liberals' White Paper in the late 1960's.
"There was a termination policy that was put in place and we all heard about the '69 White Paper," Wapass says. "Every successive government has been operating from that termination plan. I have not heard a denouncement from the Prime Minister of that plan and nor have I heard a denouncement of Justin Trudeau (Liberal leader) to denounce the '69 paper that his dad (Pierre Trudeau) was party to."
In an emailed statement, the Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Bernard Valcourt says, "Canada recognizes that finalizing funding agreements can be labour intensive which is why this year funding agreements options have been available online since Dec. 15, 2013 to allow First Nations time to seek clarification on any questions regarding their agreements.
"At the same time, we have made significant progress on our commitment to improve and streamline the process for the review and signing of this year's funding agreements. In fact, several First Nations have opted in to our new streamlined process already.
"As of Mar. 17, 2014, more than 500 agreements had been sent to First Nation recipients. Of these, 481 have been returned signed.
"We remain in contact with concerned First Nations and encourage anybody with questions to contact their local regional office for further clarification."
The First Nations say they are willing to make do without the funding rather than comply with what they say are regulations that violate treaty rights.