Child welfare program misses most Natives

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A $160 million program promoting Native child welfare ignores more than two-thirds of Canada's aboriginal population, says the head of a national off-reserve child welfare review.

"Ottawa is trying to tell the people of this country that all Native children will benefit from the package," said Conrad Saulis, chairman of the Native Council of Canada's three-year study into off-reserve child care needs.

"I know this package will mean absolutely nothing to off-reserve kids.

The Brighter Futures package, unveiled recently by Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon, will support "culturally sensitive" mental health programs, substance abuse programs and preschool and after-school care. It is part of a larger $500 million initiative announced by Health and Welfare.

Although nearly one-third of the total program will go towards Native concerns, Saulis said the funding will only reach 30 per cent of the Native community because it is for on-reserve programs.

"Obviously they treat them (status Indians) differently that they treat us," Saulis said.

Dr. Gillian Lynch, head of health and welfare's medical services department, said off-reserve funding was not included in the package because Ottawa is not responsible for non-status people.

"From our point of view, we have a mandate for on-reserve people," she said.

But off-reserve organizations will be able to apply for funding through others parts of the program designed for the non-Native population, said health department spokesman Margo Craig-Garrison.

"We are recognizing specific concerns,Craig-Garrison told Windspeaker in a telephone interview from Ottawa. "I'm sorry we're vague, but it's really developmental

at this time...I'm not able to tell you much because there isn't much to tell."

Saulis said he doesn't expect to see much money flowing towards off-reserve people. He said the federal government has so far failed to follow through on similar funding, announcements for family violence and anti-drug strategies in recent years.

"If I was a status Indian I wouldn't hold my breath to see how much of that money makes it down to the community level."

The Native component of the Bright Futures program follows informal requests from Native leaders and concerns of high death rates among Native and Inuit children, Siddon said.

Siddon unveiled the five-year plan at a press conference in Edmonton earlier this month. He said specific programs will be developed in consulting with communities and will focus on preventative measures like healthy eating and anti-drug campaigns.