Ottawa spin cannot ease growing resentment

As far as the federal government is concerned, spin is king when it comes to funding First Nations.

Whether it’s money for health or education, or funding for tribal councils and regional organizations, the news is spun to show that it’s good for the First Nations and that the Big Brother in Ottawa knows what’s best for us.

We have witnessed throughout the year a steady dribble of news about cutbacks and the outright elimination of funding. First came cuts to health funding, which was justified as prioritizing funding for undefined and nebulous community services.

When students returned to reserve schools this year, it was discovered that there have been virtually no changes in the funding available for First Nations education despite a federal commitment of $275 million in “new funding.”

The statement is partly true and leaves the impression that things actually will get better. However, a look behind the spin reveals that the new money is spread nationally over three years, with $100 million earmarked for early literacy programming and $175 million to build or renovate reserve schools. There is no new money for operating costs, which is where the money is most needed.

First Nations education remains woefully underfunded. In Saskatchewan, the provincial government provides $10,000 per student for schools in its system. Meanwhile, the federal government provides $6,400 per student in the reserve system.

Let’s do the math. Reserve schools in the province have an estimated 16,000 chil- dren. The gap of $3,600 per student between federal and provincial funding equates a shortfall of $54.5 million this year for reserve schools in just Saskatchewan. That’s only basic funding for operating costs, and doesn’t include funding for school construction or renovations. That’s almost half of Ottawa’s “new money” for the whole country.

The shortfall in Saskatchewan reserve schools is not unique. It exists to various degrees across Canada and is creating serious problems for reserve schools. With less money available for salaries, teachers go to the provincial system first and leave the federal system at the first opportunity. Schools are short of supplies and in need of repair. The whole system is falling apart.

This is a long-term problem that didn’t just happen overnight. Since 1996, the federal government has had a cap of two per cent on budget increases in funding for First Nations programs. Inflation coupled with the rate of aboriginal population growth has outstripped the funding, and the result has been a steady squeeze on First Nations budgets to the point that they can’t continue.

It’s been proven repeatedly that best ticket out of poverty is education. First Nations people with good education do better economically. The government spin continues that it’s providing more money for education when the reality is much different.

The next round of cuts is directed at the tribal councils and regional political organizations. The spin from the minister’s office is that this will “create the conditions for healthier, more self-sufficient aboriginal communities.”

Currently, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations receives $1.6 million a year for core funding. This pays for the political offices, meeting costs and boards and commissions. How a million-dollar cut to FSIN represents a healthy condition is beyond me.

The funding reduction to $500,000 will come in 201415. At first glance it would appear that to introduce such a drastic cut during an election year would be a bad move. However, this type of thing can play right to the conservative base in Saskatchewan. Racism is alive and well in this province, and the Conservatives intend to capitalize on it.

But it’s also well known that Stephen Harper and the federal government don’t like groups and individuals speaking out to criticize their policies and approach to governing the country. Eliminating funding is a sure way to weaken the aboriginal voice.

In the case of the tribal councils the effect of funding changes is even more ominous. According to the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development website, funding to tribal councils will be based on the population they serve and the departmental pro- grams they deliver.

This is classic neo-colonialism. The government will dump its underfunded and inadequate programs on the tribal councils. This turns the tribal councils into Indian agencies that deliver government programs using government policies and guidelines. This then allows the government to brag that it is a “more effective and efficient delivery of essential programs and services.”

The tribal councils will become an extension of band offices that already are administering welfareoriented programs. Our people will continue to have all the responsibility but no authority when it comes to delivering government programs. Self-government is now self-administration.

But the spin is in and everything is just peachy if you believe government press releases. The reality is that resentment is growing in Indian Country, and it will backfire on the Harper government.