COME SEPT. 30, THE FIRST NATIONS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Society will have no federal funding to support on-reserve social assistance programs. The society is condemning a “unilateral decision” by Aboriginal Affairs, BC region to cut the support for Persons with Disability on Reserve adjudication service. The society further accuses the government of bad faith negotiations of a contract.

President Jamie Hill said the society’s work meets the needs of some of the most vulnerable First Nations people in the province. “As of June 30, 2015, Person with Disability Adjudication will cease and be transferred to an unknown agency. Further to this, all support for on-reserve income assistance will cease on Sept. 30, 2015. Without consultation or a plan to support our communities, AANDC’s decision clearly demonstrates a lack of awareness, sensitivity and priority for the well-being of our communities.”

Hill said letters to Minister Bernard Valcourt have gone unanswered. “This further demonstrates AANDC’s lack of respect and support for First Nations in Canada, and highlights the Harper Government’s lack of priority for meeting its commitments to First Nations people.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs said “This unilateral decision by AANDC demonstrates the government’s continued lack of understanding of First Nations and the on-ground reality faced by our community members. Further to this, AANDC has not raised the rate of on-reserve welfare since 1994. A basic employable person on income assistance receives a basic living allowance of $235/month, which is $7.50 per day or $.31/hour. This is not acceptable and perpetuates the vicious cycle of institutionalized poverty in our First Nation communities.”