The Indigenous Leadership Council – President Dave Chartrand of the Manitoba Metis Federation, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and Grand Chief Garrison Settee of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) – met yesterday with Minister of Families, Heather Stefanson, to discuss the province’s decision to move to block funding for children and family services. The three Leaders expressed their concerns to Minister Stefanson and noted that they had not been consulted on the decision to move to block funding. All three Leaders made it clear to the Minister that as the representatives for their respective governments, they should be consulted by the provincial government on funding, policy, and strategic decisions. As noted by Manitoba Liberal Party Leader, Dougald Lamont, the amount of funding proposed in this new plan is $108M less than the $543M agencies spent in 2017/2018.