FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. File photo.
The chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says he wants compensation for the Sixties Scoop, along with an apology.
Premier Brad Wall gave his throne speech yesterday, but made no mention of an apology for the Sixties Scoop. When asked about the matter after the speech, he told reporters to talk to the FSIN.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says the province and the FSIN have been in talks over the matter for over a year and a half. He told MBC Thursday morning that Saskatchewan First Nations are asking for compensation to be included in any apology.
“But after consulting and getting more direction from our Sixties Scoop survivors, why should we get an apology? It’s nice to get an apology, no doubt about it – we acknowledge it, but there has to be some substance to the apology,” said Cameron.
The federal government recently made a promise in principle to provide $800 million to survivors of the Sixties Scoop.
Chief Cameron says he would be seeking the same settlement, or at least half the federal promise.
“You are already in a deficit, you might as well fix the wrongs while you are there,” he said.
The province has not been immediately available for comment.