More funds urged for C-31 Indians

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Canada should commit more money to help Indian women and their children regain lost Indian status, according to a Native panel holding cross-country hearings on Bill C-31.

After passing legislation allowing reinstatement, the federal government committed $295 million to cover the costs of restoring status to an estimated 65,000 women and children.

But Chief William Montour of the Assembly of First Nations said the number of people seeking reinstatement has exceeded all government estimates. A recent commitment of $1.3 billion to help the bands may not be enough, since costs incurred could run to $5 billion by the end of the decade, he said.

Montour said the government will also have to deal with the need by some bands for more reserve land for the returnees.

Montour said 65,000 Aboriginal people have already sought reinstatement and 40,000 still have to be processed.