FSIN pushes federal government for promised educational dollars

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is concerned with the federal government’s response to the underfunding issue to on-reserve schools. The federal budget this spring announced $275 million in new investments for First Nations education across Canada. However, First Nations in Saskatchewan have yet to receive this new funding and a process for distribution has yet to be identified. “Indian Affairs senior management is more concerned with ensuring they hit their own pay bonus schedules than providing our children a proper education according to our Inherent and Treaty Right,” said Vice Chief Simon Bird, in a FISN press release. “In 2010 INAC sent over $330 million back to the federal Treasury Board while First Nations schools continue to be underfunded.” The federal government provides approximately $6,500 per student to First Nations schools while the province funds schools at approximately $10,500 per student.