Ontario Regional Chief Benedict releases statement on reversal of funding cuts for Indian Residential Schools

Press Release

Late last week, the federal government reversed a policy that placed a cap on available funding related to Indian Residential Schools. This reversal came after a chorus of opposition from First Nations, Survivors, and other organizations across the country.

First Nations and Survivors learned during a short afternoon meeting in late July that funding for organizations and community leaders searching for missing children and unmarked burials at former residential school sites would be capped at $500,000 per year, down from $3 million—an 86 per cent decrease. The cuts also made many important activities—including archeology, commemoration, and memorialization efforts—ineligible for funding.

“The federal government decided to cap the funding despite increasing demand for additional work and research. The decision immediately impacted several vital groups supporting recovery and healing efforts. The policy decision about resources only serves to retraumatize Survivors,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “The legacy of residential schools is felt every single day. It’s felt by Survivors and their descendants, entire communities and Nations.”

Chiefs of Ontario’s political and secretariat offices immediately began writing letters and calling bureaucrats and politicians to have these cuts reversed. This behind-the-scenes campaign complimented the public statements, calls for change, and petitions from First Nations, Survivors, and other organizations.

“We cannot understate the grave impacts these decisions have on Survivors and our Nations,” Regional Chief Benedict said. “Immediately after learning of the changes we began lobbying the government to reconsider.”

Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, said in statement last Friday that the concerns voiced by First Nations were heard “loud and clear” and the cuts were a “mistake.”

Chiefs of Ontario is calling on the Government of Canada to expand the federal funding envelope and implement long-term adequate resources for every First Nation pursuing the sacred work of bringing our children home.

“The Government of Canada must find additional resources to meet needs and honour its commitments. I am committed to lobbying the government and working with the minister to secure what’s deserved. We must collaborate on decisions that effect our Nations and our region,” Regional Chief Benedict said. “They can save everyone a lot of heartache and frustration if they work with rights holders.”

The $320 million Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund, announced in August 2021, is intended for Indigenous-led initiatives, investments, and activities to help Indigenous communities respond to and heal from the ongoing impacts of residential schools. These activities could include local research, engagement and knowledge gathering, memorialization or commemoration, bringing children home, and more.

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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

Declan Keogh
Communications Officer
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-522-4518
Email: declan.keogh@coo.org

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