Saskatchewan Indian reserves are facing housing crisis

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Indian reserves across Saskatchewan face a housing crisis, says a Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation (FSIN) official who holds the federal government responsible.

If Indian Affairs can't do its job, then Indian people must find someone else to do it for them, said George Peeace, speaking at an all-chiefs conference in Saskatoon.

"In 1867 (when the treaty was signed ) the responsibility of Indian reserves fell on the federal government, so housing is in fact a treaty right," he told the conference.

"But if Indian affairs couldn't do the job for over the last 104 years, then let's get someone who can," he added.

He says the FSIN is looking at putting a political policy development group in place through the Native housing commission to "provide better homes for our people."

He says all Saskatchewan chiefs should know about the inadequate shortage of resources in the housing program.

"One unit costs about $80,000. Then you have heat, water, insurance and utilities. And it costs about $30,000 for renovations now."

"It's sad when a chief has to borrow off the regular housing program to hire someone for renovating or building homes," Peeace says.

Peeace says the federal government gives the impression that Indian people must share the cost for providing affordable housing.

"I agree we must share the responsibility and we have. We've already paid our share through land surrendered," he says, adding the housing commission now agrees the federal government should carry the full cost for better reserve housing.

"The chiefs who sit on the commission say housing is a treaty right and the feds must pick up the whole cost."

Peeace says recommendations must be established for better Indian control in the development of reserve housing policy" with government assistance and support."

There has been an outcry over a demand that Indian families make a down payment of about $36,000 for a house while non-Natives are required to only come up with 10 per cent.

"We must show them the shortage of housing in this province so the feds won't be able to ignore it anymore," Peeace says.

Peeace says tribal councils and the FSIN will have to take a good look at the housing shortage at the next meeting at the end of November.