FSIN chief gives provincial budget a ‘B plus’

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild is calling this year’s provincial budget a demonstration of responsible leadership by the Government of Saskatchewan.

Chief Lonechild was in attendance at the provincial Legislative Assembly in Regina on March 23 for the delivery of the 2011-2012 budget.

There was plenty to smile about as the Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations received a departmental budget of $167.2 million which is an increase of $13.1 million or six percent over last year.

Chief Lonechild said he’s very happy with the budget especially when it comes to education as well as addressing problems in the Child Welfare system.

“We’ve been calling for changes to the system for years,” he said.

$34 million was announced as part of an overall plan to address a number of issues.

Chief Lonechild said it will take collaborations between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice for families to get the needed services they require.

“This much needed investment is going to help promote that type of transparency when it comes to Social Services,” he said.

“We want to ensure there is a better system for First Nations children.”

The Ministry of Social Services has been under fire as of late with reports of Aboriginal child apprehensions on the rise and overcrowded foster homes. Investments in education have also boosted Chief Lonechild’s confidence in a brighter future for the province’s Aboriginal people. Chief Lonechild suggested that the federal government should follow the lead on Saskatchewan’s investments in First Nations education.

“The Federal Government should rip a page out of the play book of this government. (The provincial government) put their money where their mouth is by investing money into improving educational outcomes for K-12 and post-secondary education.”

The day before, the federal budget had been announced, with no significant spending plan for First Nations communities.

Another significant budget item includes $1.5 million over a three-year period to the Northern Action Plan. The plan is aimed at reducing youth suicide as well as drug use in Saskatchewan’s North.

Chief Lonechild says he would like to see more investments on economic development and creating opportunities for revenue sharing with First Nations.
“I think the work we’re going to do with the Premier hopefully will send that message that we need to be a part of the economy, so I remain optimistic.”

“This is unprecedented spending,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister for First Nations and Métis Relations said he’s listened to the concerns of Aboriginal people and northerners and says their reaction to the budget has been positive.

$3.6 million was also announced to maintain funding for all current Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Agreements.
Cheveldayoff said his ministry will continue to consult First Nations and negotiate to bring the TLE funding from 1992 rates to those of 2011.