Prentice Meets With Saskatchewan Chiefs

Prentice Meets With Saskatchewan Chiefs

Monday, May 01, 2006 at 14:56

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Delbert Wapass and a number of other provincial chiefs were in meetings in Ottawa this morning with Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice.

According to Wapass, they discussed several key issues surrounding First Nations people.

Wapass says Prentice seemed sincere about addressing the issues covered in the meeting, which included the ongoing North of 60 negotiations involving the Athabasca First Nation, as well as some outstanding land issues concerning the Mistawasis First Nation.

Wapass says the minister also touched on the Kelowna Accord and the compensation agreement for survivors of Indian residential schools. However, Prentice apparently did not comment on whether or not fast-track payments will be made to the sick and elderly survivors.

Wapass says Prentice has scheduled further discussions with the First Nations chiefs in Saskatchewan for later this summer.

Prentice and his Conservative colleagues are set to deliver their first budget tomorrow.

First Nations leaders have said they will be watching closely to see if there is any mention of the commitments identified in the $5.1 billion Kelowna Accord signed by the previous Liberal government last November.