FSIN Says Results Of CEP Payments Mostly Positive

FSIN Says Results Of CEP Payments Mostly Positive

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 14:54

A Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations vice-chief is downplaying a recent report which says payments to residential school survivors have led to substance abuse, depression and suicide.

The report was commissioned by the Canwest News Service and describes a number of problems associated with payouts in regions like B.C. and Quebec.

Lyle Whitefish says he has heard about the report, but isn’t aware of any mass problems here in Saskatchewan.

He acknowledges he has heard some stories of band members having difficulty controlling the money, but for the most part, he believes it has helped more than it has hurt.

Meantime, Whitefish says he hopes the stalled Truth and Reconciliation Commission begins its work soon.

He says he has heard through the grapevine that the two commissioners remaining on the panel are thinking of jump-starting the process by themselves, but he hopes they wait for a new chairperson to be appointed.