Self-government theme of DIA reorganization

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LETHBRIDGE - Reorganization of the Department of Indian Affairs will revolve around the theme of Indian self-government, Deputy Minister Bruce Rawson confirmed previous statements from department officials that no extra training dollars enabling bands to take on new programs will be forthcoming.

One of the main criticisms of the federal government's proposed self-government related packages is that bands will not receive special training programs to help smooth the transition from department to band-run programs.

"Nobody has to take them (programs)", he said. "In the transfer we are talking about now, i.e. child welfare, there are funds that will flow in through other departments (for training) in a case-by-case system."

Rawson confirmed that in the case of child welfare these funds usually come from the provincial government.

The department has been reorganized into four sectors, or as Rawson put it, themes. These are self-government, economic development, Indian services and lands, and revenues and trust.

"And to ensure no growth in executive structure, the former corporate policy and Native claims sectors have been dismantled and absorbed within the new organization."

Rawson also wanted to squash rumors that the department is cutting any programs.

Our commitment is to maintain current funding levels of programs designed to correct inequities which exist for Native peoples and Native communities," he said.

The department intends to turn over program dollars to communities allowing them to run and design programs to suit their own particular needs.

However, he assured the audience, the department will continue to administer the Indian act as long as Indian communities want that

. "But we are also a department that is prepared to go beyond the Indian Act and by enhancing the power of communities, whether through legislative, policy or program changes, remove ourselves from direct involvement in the lives of Indian people. Collaboration not subordination is an operating objective."

Rawson denied audience accusations that the department is using the now infamous Neilsen Task Force Report as a guideline for the proposed cutbacks.

"If we were, we'd be doing a heck of a bad job," he said.

The department is using the 1983 Penner Report as a guideline, he told delegates, confirming the cutbacks which have already reduced department staff from 9,000 ten years ago to the 6,000 of today.

Rawson confirmed the figure of 3,100 in staff cutbacks, first published by Windpspeaker" in March, within five years.

Rawson was speaking at the Lethbridge Indian-Provincial government conference held at the University of Lethbridge campus April 21 to 25.