By paNOW

Former FSIN Chief says cutbacks are an opportunity, not a setback

Feb 2, 2014 | 4:52 AM

Dr. Lawrence Joseph was not surprised when he received news of the job cuts within the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

“It’s been in the wind ever since I was chief, they’ve been talking about provincial and territorial organizations being on the chopping block as far as their relationship with the Federal Government,” he said.

FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde announced Wednesday night that 90 per cent of the work force would be cut, in response to two years of federal funding cuts totaling around $2 million. The layoffs will take effect at the end of March.

“My heart goes out to those people who received pink slips, but I must say nothing is forever, including people who are staff members for a long time. I would suggest it is time to roll up your sleeves. Rather than criticize anybody let’s see what we can do to fix this,” said Joseph.

Joseph is now calling on the provincial chiefs to get organized and look for ways to continue working without government transfers. He also thinks the provincial government could give more back.

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“They don’t like the idea of revenue sharing but they have no problem sharing our revenues in the form of casino payments, and also taking the money from the people who were promised under treaty never to pay taxes,” he said.

Resource revenue sharing has been a talking point for the current Chief Bellegarde. He is now busy looking for independent revenue sources, but it’s unclear at this point what those revenue sources might be.

Meanwhile Joseph is promoting the importance of the FSIN, stressing that the organization has value for the province as a whole and not just First Nations people.

“How many people have graduated into professional degrees and professional occupations because of the push that was given collectively by the chiefs of Saskatchewan, to bring about Indian control of Indian education? Of course the First Nations University would probably never have happened,” said Joseph.

Chief Bellegarde told the media the affected workers would be re-hired if the FSIN executive could find other sources of revenue. Joseph would like to see an action plan put forward.

“The cutbacks are painful, especially to the affected employees however I think it also brings with it an opportunity to analyze the past, and analyze the usefulness of the organization,” he said Joseph.

Lawrence Joseph was elected FSIN Chief in 2006.

He has also served two terms as a City Councilor in Prince Albert, and was acting Mayor in 1993. In 2010, he ran for the NDP in the Federal Election.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell