Indian arts and crafts budget slashed

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Tough economic times has forced Indian Affairs to slash funding to the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society (AIACS), says department spokesman Wayne Hanna.

He said more than half the society's funds will be cut to balance the Indian Affairs' budget and "to maintain the level of allocation to bands."

The organization received #378,000 per year but as of April 1 it will only get $150,000 for administrative purposes.

Hanna said the society is being urged to look for other sources of funding and to become self-sufficient.

Lois MacLellan, general manager of the society, refused comment on the cuts.

The Indian Arts 7 Crafts Society of British Columbia had its funds reduced by the department least year. General manager Jill Fist said she sympathizes with the Alberta society. She said her group was forced to, "look elsewhere for funds. We had to change our whole marketing initiative to become self-sufficient. We're still working at it, it's not going to happen overnight."

Claudette Fortin, executive director of the National Indian Arts and Crafts Corporation, said Alberta Native artists "are going to feel" the cuts.

The society, formed in 1975, provides Native artists with marketing and business advice and training. The group is the link between its 2,000 members and potential buyers.

AJAC's had about a year to work on getting additional funds, said Hanna. "The decision does not come out of the blue. The board of directors was put on notice March 11, 1990."

All funding to arts and crafts organizations" across Canada is being reviewed," he said.