DIA kills new funding idea

Page 1

The decision to cut funding from Alberta's top Native political organization has been dropped, according to the Indian and Northern Affairs regional office.

Consultation and policy development funds will be allocated directly to the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) instead of being given to bands who, in turn, would have handed it over to the IAA. Provincial Native leaders have reflected the plan to divide funding among Indian bands.

During an all-chiefs' meeting at the Enoch reserve March 18, a spokesman for the Indian Association of Alberta asked band leaders to support the IAA's efforts to have Elizabeth Turbayne relieved of her position as the regional director general of Indian Affairs.

Reacting to Turbayne's recent decision to cut IAA's consultation and policy development (CPD) funding, Percy Potts announced the association's intentions.

"I would like to make a request that the RDG (Elizabeth Turbayne) be removed. IAA is a membership organization and should remain as such."

He said chiefs should flatly deny Turbayne's effort to take political power from the IAA by taking away its funding.

In a later vote, chiefs unanimously agreed to support the IAA's request. And that's all it took, said Indian Affairs finance minister director Albert Oostendorp.

Under the proposed fiscal policy, Indian bands were to be allocated federal funding to choose what organizations they want to have represent them in political negotiations.

Oostendorp said the results of a study done last year indicated chiefs were dismayed at the IAA for its handling of CPD funds.

He said his office was prepared to deny funding to the IAA because they thought that's what chiefs wanted.

"But I just presume they (chiefs) changed their minds. It was a surprise."

Potts old 15 chiefs in attendance at Enoch, Turbayne's initial action is another ploy in the federal government's plan to discredit the IAA and divide Alberta bands. Staying united,

he said, is the only way Natives can address the government effectively.

"We've been jacked around for too long. If we put our heads together and take the time necessary to plan a strategy and provide a political future, we can do anything we want."

Potts said later he doesn't believe the IAA announcement was made in vain.

"Chiefs can stop her from doing it. It is my strong belief they will agree not to accept the Indian Affairs agreement....We're not going to let it happen."

In his all-chiefs address, IAA president Roy Louis warned band leaders a divisive approach in addressing Native issues could do more damage to Indian rights than good. He said

there is a "common front" on all issues and there is no reason to make them separate.

"We do have a lot of problems to deal with, so we have to work together. We can't go our separate ways."

He said the chiefs resolution to deny Turbayne's proposal was an indication bands want to work together. He said it should be up to all the chiefs if Turbayne should quit.

Turbayne refused to comment.