Native Leader responds to Leaked Cabinet Memo

NANAIMO, BC, Feb. 24 – Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, a candidate for National Chief and leader of the 42 member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation has real concerns with a leaked cabinet memo and apparent plans for the government to overhaul First Nations funding arrangements.”Such paternalistic and unilateral actions cannot be pushed on us. We will resist,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage, who is in Nanaimo for a meeting of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations.

“This kind of cloak-and-dagger, secret memos and clandestine government schemes is a throwback to the times of Indian Agents, assimilation and the 1969 White Paper. Our government-to-government and nation-to-nation relationship should be built on trust and transparency, not by taking two steps backward.”

The leaked federal Cabinet memo, obtained by APTN outlines a bureaucratic scheme to change the conditions in which First Nations are funded, apparently without little consultation or the risk of attempting another controversial legislative initiative. The previous Liberal government attempted similar measures under the First Nations Governance Act, which was met with significant resistance from First Nations leaders. The Act was eventually scrapped.

Beaucage is concerned over the tone of the memo and that it appears to be ignorant of recent Supreme Court precedent which requires the Crown to adequately consult with First Nations on changes in policy and, when required, accommodate their interests.

The memo states the scheme can be done without “the need for extensive or time-consuming engagement with First Nations or third parties.”

“The government has a legal duty to consult and accommodate First Nations interests, especially when it comes to such significant processes such as First Nations governance and funding,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. “The approach outlined in this memo, which appears to be legitimate, is not acceptable.”

However, Grand Council Chief agrees that the means in which First Nations are funded and how those dollars are accounted for requires significant changes.

“This is one of the areas we need fundamental change. But it has to be driven by First Nations and not by anyone else,” said Beaucage. “We need to be looking at new ways of funding First Nations governments and not only focus on transparency, but on the government-to-government relationship based on the treaties.”

As part of his AFN election campaign, Grand Council Chief Beaucage proposes funding First Nations government in the same way that provinces are funded, through direct transfer payments and even equalization formulas.

“First Nations need to be seen as legitimate governments within the fabric of Canadian society. We are not part of the Indian Affairs bureaucracy, we are bona fide governments. As our governments are reestablished, we will have our own Constitutions. Accountability will be built into our constitutions, not just to the federal government and taxpayers, but first and foremost, to our own citizens.”

For further information: Bob Goulais, (705) 498-5250, info@johnbeaucage.com; Marci Becking, (705) 497-9127 ext. 2290, becmar@anishinabek.ca