Budget day a 'black day' for First Nations

Last Updated: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 | 2:00 PM PT

CBC News

Canada will face a summer of protest and conflict because of the failure of Monday's federal budget to deal with aboriginal social issues, warns the president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said the commitment of $21 million in additional money for First Nations is a far cry from the $5 billion pledged in the Kelowna Accord by then prime minister Paul Martin in 2005.

The Conservative government scrapped the Kelowna Accord after winning last year's election.
 
But Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also promised his government would find other ways to deal with poverty and social issues on Indian reserves.

"Believe me, yesterday was a pretty black day for the aboriginal people across this country," said Phillip Tuesday, calling the $21-million funding increase more of an insult than a help.

"Certainly, it does not bode well for the future in terms of the huge frustration, the absolutely disgraceful and appalling poverty that has become institutional in the minds of Canadians, whereby they believe that has always been the case and always will continue to be the case because we are aboriginal people.

"It's really a dim reflection on the entire country."

Phillip said social conditions on reserves have deteriorated even since the Kelowna Accord, which was signed by the previous Liberal government in late 2005.

On his own reserve in Penticton, Phillip said there have been several murders and suicides, and a marked increase in drug addiction and trafficking.

"What we're experiencing now is a great deal of internalized violence, but at some point in time that internalized violence will turn outward."
 
First Nations are already planning a B.C. day of protest on June 29, including rail blockades across the province.