FSIN Chief Counting On Wall To Pressure Tories

FSIN Chief Counting On Wall To Pressure Tories

Friday, November 23, 2007 at 14:13

The chief of the FSIN says he’s confident northern Saskatchewan will be well served by the new provincial government.

Lawrence Joseph doesn’t think the Saskatchewan Party will ignore the province’s two northern ridings because they elected two Opposition MLAs.

He says Premier Brad Wall has already told him he will do his best to lobby Ottawa on issues relevant to First Nations.

Joseph finds those comments reassuring, and adds he is counting on Wall to be a strong voice for First Nations when dealing with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Joseph says the new premier needs to help pressure Ottawa to boost funding for First Nations health and education.

The chief notes the two per cent cap on annual increases to First Nations post-secondary education funding has been in place since 1996, and it needs to change.