More Waiting For Residential School Victims
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 14:39
It doesn’t appear survivors of residential schools will be getting a settlement package anytime soon.
At the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations legislative assembly in Saskatoon yesterday, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine laid out the most recent dialogue he has had with the government.
Fontaine said Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice is unlikely to award quick settlements to elderly survivors, because he doesn’t want to separate the residential school compensation package from the rest of the Kelowna Accord.
The national chief admitted to being worried about the federal government’s approach.
Fontaine also noted the agreement still has to be approved by the courts, which could take four to six months.
He said First Nations will know where the Conservatives stand on Aboriginal issues when the throne speech comes down on April 4th.