NLIS 1
February 16, 2005
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)
Minister calls on federal
government to investigate expenditure of public monies at Natuashish
reserve
Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal
Affairs, today announced that he has called upon the federal ministers of Indian
and Northern Affairs Canada and Health Canada to undertake an investigation of
the expenditure of public monies at the Mushuau Innu First Nation (MIFN) reserve
at Natuashish.
Minister Rideout said, "I have written letters to both Andy Scott and Ujjal
Dosanjh, in their capacities as the federal ministers of Indian and Northern
Affairs and Health, respectively, suggesting that their departments cooperate in
undertaking a full investigation into the spending of the First Nation monies
associated with the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy.
"I told the federal ministers that these concerns are not new and must be taken
seriously. We all need to have comfort that monies targeted to help the Innu are
being spent properly and in an efficient manner, to help secure a healthy future
for the Innu people. Band members, and indeed all Canadian people, deserve to
know the answers to the questions that have been raised publicly by members of
the Mushuau Band."
The Innu, as well as community service practitioners in the region, have
expressed concerns about the operation and effectiveness of the Labrador Health
Secretariat. Minister Rideout said, "I suggested to the federal Minister of
Health, in particular, that no matter how the federal government chooses to move
forward in response to recent allegations around spending, that he consider a
review of operations of the Labrador Health Secretariat to ensure the Innu
receive maximum benefit from the resources available from Health Canada."
On October 7, 2004, Minister Rideout wrote Minister Scott urging him to look at
how the federal government can act within its jurisdiction to address the
problems that alcohol and drugs are causing in the reserve at Natuashish, in the
absence of a band by-law. The letter also noted that it is important that the
province continue to work with the federal government and band to ensure that
the appropriate supports are in place and that the best use is being made of the
resources that are being directed, by all parties, to assisting the reserve.
"The public and band members need to be assured that money allocated is being
spent wisely and effectively on priorities that provide the best opportunities
for achieving positive results for the Innu people," said the minister. "This is
vastly more important than just demonstrating that the money was spent."
Minister Rideout said, "The level of suffering being experienced by the members
of the Mushuau Innu First Nation at the federal government reserve at Natuashish
is absolutely tragic. While it is important for the First Nation itself to
address these issues at the community level, it is also the federal government�s
responsibility to ensure accountability for the expenditure of federal funding
and for the effectiveness of the services provided to the Innu, as it should for
any federal government reserve in the country.
"Our government is willing to work with and support both the Mushuau Innu First
Nation and the federal government in resolving the problems identified. However,
the constitutional jurisdiction over the reserve resides with the federal
government."
Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015 or (709)
690-8403
2005 02 16
9:15 a.m. |