Veterans Seek Greater Financial Support

 

Veterans Seek Greater Financial Support

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 12:29

 

 

The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association has hit a cash crunch.

 

They say they don’t have enough money to operate their association the way they’d like to.

 

They also say they need more money to attend funerals of their colleagues.

 

And they want to speak at schools and other public events year round — not just around Nov. 11.

 

The issue arose during the association’s annual meeting in North Battleford yesterday.

 

Grand Chief Emile Highway says the veterans are volunteering their time.

 

Highway says they can’t afford to do that without more money, because it’s hard on them and their vehicles.

 

“We’re spending money to buy gas to go to these funerals on various reserves to honour the veterans that have passed on to the spirit world, and we’re starting to feel the pinch, the crunch (financially). Our vehicles are getting older, the roads on the reserve are not that good (on) most reserves,” he says.

 

The veterans are considering approaching SIGA, INAC and the FSIN for the money they need.