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Funding change could 'kill' IAA

Author

Jeff Morrow, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Edmonton

Volume

7

Issue

1

Year

1989

Page 1

A change in the way consultation funding is distributed by the regional office of Indian and Northern Affairs could spell the end of the political organization for Treaty Indians in Alberta.

It could mean the end of the Indian Association of Alberta, said Treaty 8 vice-president Bill Sewepagaham.

The recent decision by the Indian Affairs regional director general allowing Alberta bands to choose their own Indian political organization smacks of conspiracy, said Sewepagaham.

The program, being slashed April 1, is part of the IAA's primary funding function, and if the association is closed down bands will suffer without it, he said.

"It's our bread and butter. It's for the protection of treaty rights....Other things would be in jeopardy without it. It will kill our organization."

In a telephone interview, Sewepagaham accused the government of massing a campaign to stop bands from working together as one unit to address Aboriginal rights.

"They're using the divide and conquer technique. They want to break up our unity."

The consultation and policy development (CPD) funding enabled the IAA to represent bands in negotiations with the government.

The new plan will give chief and council authority to select other Indian organizations to represent their interests instead of depending solely on the IAA, said the Indian Affairs regional finance director Alberta Oostendorp.

He said his department is simply acting on a basic concern shown by bands throughout the province.

"The majority of them had concerns about how we annually spent the budget for CPD.

He said Turbayne then contacted other Indian organizations for their input expressing better ways of issuing funds.

Oostendorp said his department agreed it should be up to the communities to decide who gets the money.

"Based on their total membership, it will be an amount of money they can then allocate to whichever organization they wish to have represent them in consultation."

The IAA will be granted $200,000 in transitional funds, but after that, Oostendop said, they will only be eligible for funding if a participating band agrees.

Beaver Lake chief Al Lameman, said the CPD funding should have been divided up a long time ago.

"In the 60s, the IAA did their job. They're not effective anymore. They got (sic) to be too political.... Treaty bands can become stronger if they decide for themselves who gets the

funds."

He said his band is one that can rely on itself to fight for what it wants and doesn't need anyone to do its work.

"We've agreed to put the money in our tribal coffers." And depend on the council to negotiate, he said. "I don't think it will divide bands."

Alexander band Chief Allan Paul said he views the government's action as a way of breaking Treaty Indian spirit.

"I have to ask why we fall into these traps set by the federal government. No one will be further ahead if the IAA disbands. It will be harder for us to stay together."

He said there should be even more money allocated to the IAA for CPD operating costs.