Chief accuses governments of ongoing paternalism

A war of words has erupted between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations’ Interim Chief Kim Jonathan and high ranking members of the provincial government.

Jim Reiter, minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs, is accusing Jonathan of “splitting hairs” over concerns that FSIN wasn’t included in discussions on a draft agreement for providing emergency services to reserves. The federal and provincial governments worked together on the draft.

“I just feel that if her main concern is simply that she wasn’t engaged soon enough, I would suggest that’s just splitting hairs,” Reiter told reporters after question period on March 23.

Jonathan said the approach undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, to strike a bilateral agreement for emergency services without First Nations input, underscores all interactions with First Nations.

“This paternalistic approach is all too familiar to First Nations and has not produced any meaningful improvements in our collective health, well-being or quality of life in the past century and a half,” Jonathan said in a news release.

The discussion between Jonathan and the provincial government, most of which has been carried out in the media, became heated following the deaths of two children on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. The neighbouring village of Loon Lake did not respond to the fire call Feb. 17 from the First Nation, having cut off its services due to outstanding emergency services bills.

Just over a week later, Premier Brad Wall told reporters that the tragedy “underscores the need for leadership” in First Nations communities. He did praise the Saskatoon Tribal Council for undertaking a review of fire protection services in its seven communities, saying, “That’s the kind of leadership we need.”

Wall’s comments solicited the first volley from Jonathan.

“That any leader would exploit the deaths of innocent children and use a tragedy such as this to attack all First Nations leaders is inherently wrong and truly unfortunate. To suggest that First Nations leaders are not concerned about the safety and well-being of their citizens is baseless. Had Premier Wall shown true leadership by discussing these issues directly with First Nations, he would have found that action is being taken,” she said.

Now, words are being exchanged over an agreement that would see the province receive federal funding of $1 million in each of 10 years to cover fixed costs the province already incurs when providing emergency management and fire safety services on reserve. Jonathan has accused the province of taking “Indian moneys.”

“The impression this could leave is that the province has an interest in receiving federal money at the expense of First Nations. I can say categorically that I would not support this approach,” said Reiter, in a lengthy, strongly worded letter to Jonathan dated March 8.

Reiter also said that the draft agreement, which he stresses has not been signed, was shared with Jonathan and he asked for her input, which he said he would take to his federal counterpart.

“Certainly we’ve offered to help and our officials did a great deal of working with federal officials to come up with a draft agreement that we think can help us enhance our resources so we can put people in place, experts that can help with education and training for fire response on reserve, possibly facilitating agreements with neighbouring municipalities,” said Reiter.

Instead, Jonathan has suggested that the $10 million be given directly to First Nations.

“Rather than ongoing paternalism from the federal and provincial governments, First Nations need true partnerships to effect meaningful change.†First Nations need cooperation and call upon the federal and provincial governments to support the development of a technical service provider that will enable Tribal Councils to deliver essential services to First Nations, by First Nations,” said Jonathan.