Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy issues warning to industry and governments

On April 8, Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy issued
a warning to industry and to governments. Cuts to core funding for First Nations organizations, in an attempt to dismantle collective voices of First Nations, will not address the risk that extractive industries face when wanting to develop on or near First Nations’ territories. “We know all too well that cutbacks are an attempt to minimize our capacity to speak out about our rightful role in the protection of the environment and our authority to provide free, prior and informed consent on projects in the natural gas, energy, and mining industries,” Beardy said. He also expressed concern with major federal funding cuts for specific claims research and development affecting many First Nations in Ontario in active claims and called for the restoration of this funding. “I am perplexed as to how the Harper Conservative government can think that unresolved land claims (that will be the result of cuts to specific claims funding) will be helpful for third parties wanting to do business on or near First Nations’ territories in Ontario—it will, in fact, have the opposite effect,” Beardy stated. Cuts to both core and specific claims took effect on April 1. The Chiefs of Ontario has taken an 80 per cent cut in total core funding as result of both federal and provincial cuts and has been forced to lay off 10 staff. This will affect First Nations in Ontario who rely on the organization for critical policy advice, regional coordination and advocacy in the areas of youth, social services, and economic development, reads a press release.