Chiefs Put Minister On Hot Seat Over FNUC Funding

Chiefs Put Minister On Hot Seat Over FNUC Funding

Thursday, February 04, 2010 at 14:05

 

 

The fate of the First Nations University of Canada continued to be a hot topic on the second day of the FSIN legislative assembly today on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

 

First Nations and Metis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson took to the podium this morning and repeated the words of Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris yesterday when he pulled more than $5 million of provincial funding from the school.

 

Once Hutchinson finished his speech, he was bombarded with a long list of chiefs who had some tough questions and comments.

 

English River Chief Ralph Paul commended Hutchinson for coming and speaking in front of a group of people who are very angry with his government — but he had few nice words for Premier Brad Wall.

 

Paul told Hutchinson that Wall has “no interest in Aboriginal people”.

 

The chief added, “We want to progress, we want to go ahead, but your government stops us.”

 

Fishing Lake Chief Shirley Wolfe-Keller accused Hutchinson and his government of making a hasty decision yesterday.

 

Wolfe-Keller asked, “Are you afraid . . . that we are going to become self-sufficient . . . and become as good as everyone else out there, if not better?”