FSIN Hopes Coalition Threat Revives Kelowna Accord

FSIN Hopes Coalition Threat Revives Kelowna Accord

Friday, December 12, 2008 at 14:36

 

 

The chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says he thinks the threat of a coalition government may change the Conservative governemnt’s mind about adopting the Kelowna Accord.

 

Lawrence Joseph met with NDP leader Jack Layton while in Ottawa for this week’s Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly.

 

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff previously endorsed the Kelowna Accord during a campaign address at the Prince Albert Grand Council in October 2006.

 

Joseph says Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl has a lot to think about in the wake of a renewed push by the chiefs for the government to embrace and expand the cancelled $5 billion accord.

 

In an address to the chiefs, Strahl said he didn’t know what tomorrow would bring when commenting about the January 27th budget.

 

Northern Saskatchewan Tory MP Rob Clarke acknowledges the AFN and FSIN have approached his government to change its stance on both the Kelowna Accord and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Clarke won’t say if the government will change its mind on either issue in order to get the Opposition to support the budget.

 

However, he says both initiatives “will be looked at”, adding “everything is always open for further review”.