Watch the video above: Federal minister weighs in on funding cuts to the FSIN
SASKATOON – Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt makes no apologies on Friday for recent funding cuts to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN).
The future of one of Canada’s oldest First Nations political organizations is uncertain.
FSIN says about $2 million has been slashed from its budget over two fiscal years.
In his visit to Saskatoon on Friday, Valcourt said the cuts are part of the government’s push for First Nations lobby organizations to become more independent.
“We have to be mindful of the taxpayers of the country and also mindful that the limited tax dollars we invest should bring about results in priority areas, in areas that bring about changes, meaningful changes,” said Valcourt.
Sixty-six FSIN staff members were given layoff notice for the end of March.
“The ones who get the brunt of it are the ones that have families to support, they have mortgage payments, they have kids and that’s the real unfortunate part,” said Chief Felix Thomas, Saskatoon Tribal Council.
“It’s another example of how government is really trying to weaken the voice of First Nations people from across Canada,” said FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde.
Valcourt says federal funds should not be a part of FSIN’s “core” operational budget.
“They will still be able as an organization to apply for certain projects and the right of first refusal of these employees, so they can come back to work on projects,” said Valcourt.
Bellegarde agrees that being funded by a government that the federation is lobbying against makes accountability difficult.
The federation plans to spend the next few months looking at alternative sources of funding.
Minister Valcourt says the FSIN was informed about the government’s plan to drastically reduce funding several years ago.
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