Grand Chief Stewart Phillip warns Ottawa on funding cuts

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip is warning Ottawa that funding cuts to Aboriginal Affairs’ specific claims research may create a similar environment to the one that sparked the Oka crisis. The cuts come as the federal government works to “identify efficiencies and streamline departmental operations” and has resulted in some First Nations claims research organizations seeing upwards of 60 per cent funding loss. “These massive funding cuts signal clearly the Harper government’s intent to walk away from specific claims,” said Phillip, who is president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. “These are the same circumstances that preceded Oka: Canada walked away from the federal duty to address specific claims and was dismissive of First Nation grievances.”