Saskatchewan’s Government Relations Minister says he is “disappointed” with comments made by FSIN Interim Chief Kimberley Jonathan.
On Friday afternoon at a press event in Prince Albert, Chief Jonathan had announced the FSIN’s proposed technical services cooperative that would deal with First Nations emergency and technical matters. During the event, Chief Jonathan said the province is negotiating an agreement with the federal government that would see “$10 million of Indian monies transferred to the province.” The chief then requested that money be given to the FSIN instead to help create and implement this new technical services co-operative.
In a letter to Chief Jonathan, Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter says the impression this comment could leave is that the province has an interest in receiving federal money at the expense of First Nations. Reiter says this is an approach he would not support.
The minister says the agreement between the province and the feds would see the province receive $1 million a year over the next ten years for some of the fixed costs the province incurs when providing emergency management and fire safety services on reserve.
While speaking to reporters this afternoon, Reiter said Chief Jonathan was given a draft of the agreement for her input.
“It just troubles me that while she said she would do that on Friday they called a press conference to cease and desist conversations on this,” said Reiter. “There is an opportunity here to take a step forward and make First Nations safer, I was just disappointed in that response.”
While speaking on Friday Chief Jonathan had expressed her concerns that First Nations were not included in the conversation over this funding.
“When we met she raised that with me and I pointed out to her this is a draft and I had asked for her input,” said Reiter. “I would just hate to see what could be a significant step to make First Nations safer, be thrown away because she feels she should have been included a bit sooner, I would just hate to see that.”
Reiter says these disagreements in the public sphere are not beneficial to anybody.
“That’s why you saw a somewhat lengthy letter,” said Reiter. “I eagerly look forward to her response and at some point in time we are going to have to sit down and discuss this.”
Premier Brad Wall also offered a brief comment on the situation Monday morning. The Premier says there has been misunderstanding between the FSIN and the provincial government. He says the ultimate goal of the funding agreement was always to provide funding exclusively for First Nations.
“We have had a process in place… to identify federal resources to fund positions exclusively to work with First Nations on fire suppression and safety…and that is real, that is right now,” said Wall.
In the closing lines of the letter, Reiter says he believes the agreement between the federal and provincial governments would put the province in a “better” position to enhance emergency and fire services to First Nations.