News

Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh and Grand Council Treaty #3 are eagerly reviewing the 2021 Federal Budget.

“This past year has been a difficult time for the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “This pandemic has made worse many of the issues we face from health to education to justice. Addressing these issues is difficult when we are forced to deal with antiquated funding relationships, policies, and methodologies with both levels of government. I am optimistic that this pandemic has made it clear to governments that we must reassess many of the policies and procedures that we work within in order to allow us to rebuild from this pandemic in a way that benefits everyone.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many of the social issues that the Anishinaabe Nation faces to the breaking point. The investments in health, particularly mental health, will assist communities in coming to terms with and seek concrete solutions to these seemingly unassailable struggles made worse by over a year of pandemic. Similarly, the investment in education is critical to finding a place for the Anishinaabe Nation’s rapidly growing population in the post-pandemic economy and society. The investments in justice will assist in repairing the damage the pandemic has done to the systems First Nations live within. As this pandemic has shown, when support systems fail the weight of social issues falls upon the justice system and First Nations police services.

Additionally, while the figures seem impressive at first glance, it has become apparent that the effects on the ground for Treaty #3 communities depends heavily on how national allocations will be made. Historically, the Ontario Region which is home to 26 of the 28 Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3’s communities, has suffered from lower funding figures relative to other regions.

“While many of the investments made by this budget to First Nation health, education, and justice systems are welcome news, the investment in economic development appears comparatively low,” added Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “I have heard time and time again that our people want to be a part of our local, national, and international economy. Canada has a great opportunity in the million indigenous people that are willing and eager to be a part of the economic recovery if they are given the tools to join it.”

The Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 will continue to work with all departments of the Federal Government to ensure the contents of its budget reach First Nation communities so that they may find solutions to the issues they face.

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For more information please contact: Daniel Morriseau, Political Advisor – (807) 464-2647 or by email daniel.morriseau@treaty3.ca

PDF – April 22, 2021 – Grand Council Treaty #3 Reviewing Federal Budget