Feds reverse course on funding cap for unmarked grave searches

APTN News: The minister of Crown Indigenous Relations says that the federal government made a “mistake” when it capped money towards searches for unmarked graves at former residential schools across the country.

“After engaging with Indigenous leaders and communities, we have heard your concerns loud and clear,” said Minister Gary Anandasangaree in a statement. “Our intention was to fund as many initiatives as possible but we recognize that the lack of flexibility of these changes was a mistake.

“We committed to being there alongside communities every step of the way. That commitment remains and I apologize for any hurt or re-traumatization these changes may have caused. In response to what we heard we are ensuring greater flexibility in the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund, including lifting the $500,000 limit on funding levels…”

In July, Canada announced that money available to communities for these searches would be reduced from $3 million to $500,000 for this fiscal year and next.

Several communities and organizations pushed back.

Communities could previously receive up to $3 million per year through the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund, but funding will now be capped at $500,000.

“The decision to cut back substantial funding for this critical initiative is not only disheartening but also disrespectful to the survivors and families affected by the residential school system,” said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs deputy grand chief Betsy Kennedy in a statement.

“The search for truth and justice must go forward without further delays or federal roadblocks, especially when it concerns the lost lives of our children.”

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation said it was “deeply concerned” with the move.

“Funding for search activities is an essential part of the debt of justice owed to the families and Nations whose children were forcibly taken away,” said Stephanie Scott, executive director of the NCTR. ”Funding must be determined by need, not by arbitrary formulas.

“That’s the only way to meet Parliament’s promise that every Indigenous community would have the means necessary to locate and commemorate the children who never came home.”

More to come.