Chiefs disappointed Aboriginal portfolio part of larger provincial department

Premier Alison Redford’s decision to fold Aboriginal Relations with two high-profile portfolios into a single government department under a rookie minister has raised concerns with First Nations.

“It’s kind of a slap in the face. It was that way at one point and then they separated our people into a ministry of our own and now we’re back to where we used to be,” said Richard Kappo, Grand Chief for Treaty 8.

Kappo blamed the move on both cost-saving measures and the lack of importance the Redford-led government has placed on Aboriginal issues.

Under Redford’s new-look PC government, first-term MLA Cal Dallas (Red Deer-South) has been appointed minister of the International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations department.

Dallas sees the combination as “bumping (Aboriginal Relations) up not moving this back.”

Dallas said, “What we have done is strengthen this in the manner that it is a government to government relationship, thus the intergovernmental part of this, as well in the sense that federal government in their policy and their funding have very significant impacts in the work that we do in supporting Aboriginal communities, First Nations and Métis throughout the province and so I see this as an opportunity for me to work closer with some of the ministries both federally and provincially that can make a difference in terms of Aboriginal issues.”

 “The chiefs of Alberta are disappointed because now we have a ministry that has three distinct portfolios,” said Cameron Alexis, Grand Chief of Treaty 6.

Alexis said international relations alone, with Alberta’s push for oil, gas and other development abroad, will cut into the valuable – and limited – time that Dallas will have to pursue the ever increasing concerns that First Nations have.

Kappo pointed to Len Webber, who held the sole portfolio of Aboriginal Relations before the Cabinet shuffle, saying Webber “paid a lot of attention to our issues and he was effectively involved” with First Nations. “I don’t know how much time the new minister (Dallas) is going to have with these three departments.”

“Will this minister have the time to deal adequately in a progressive manner dealing with First Nations’ treaty issues?” asked Alexis. He pointed out that the Aboriginal Relations’ portion of Dallas’ portfolio includes the Métis Settlement General Council, the Métis Nation of Alberta, non-status First Nation people and the treaty process. “So will this minister have time to deal with Aboriginal issues at a heightened and aggressive level inclusive to the constant changes that we have?”

Dallas admitted to having “limited background in respect to working with Aboriginal communities,” but noted staff has remained steady in the office of Aboriginal Relations.
“We haven’t changed any of the folks who are supporting Aboriginal Relations at the government level. We haven’t changed any part of the budget. All of the expertise, all of the folks that are so committed to supporting sustainable development for Aboriginal communities in Alberta are all in place,” he said.

But Alexis isn’t convinced that will be enough to deal with such issues as education, health, children services, economic development, water, consultation and other concerns that chiefs are pushing forward with.

Dallas said he has committed to developing an agenda for a protocol meeting with Alberta chiefs to be held this fall.

“There’s a number of issues I believe will be on the table for discussion,” he said, noting that his priorities for Aboriginal issues will be the priorities voiced by the province’s Aboriginal people.

Kappo said, “It’s like any politician, including myself. Your plans are good, your will in trying to do the best you can, but sometimes your hands are tied by policy or towing the party line.  I guess we’ll see how (Dallas) develops.”