Ottawa – FNSDS The First Nations Social Development Society has launched a public campaign to save it from the Aboriginal Affairs minister’s axe. The FNSDS is expected to disappear September 30.
They have launched a petition through change.org to keep themselves alive.
Their media release states:
The First Nation Social Development Society (FNSDS), provides a vital service for income assistance workers across all 203 First Nations in BC. For over a decade, FNSDS has provided policy clarification, support, training, reporting and compliance support, and person with disability (PWD) adjudication. In a unilateral decision without any consultation, FNSDS is being closed down by the Minister, B. Valcourt of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) effective September 30, 2015.
This is a serious and urgent matter as FNSDS provides fundamental support to Band Social Development Workers (BSDW) who help to meet the needs of some of B.Cs most vulnerable First Nation members. The supports services provided aid to BC First Nation income assistance workers who support clients and helps bands prevent claw back from AANDC.
This decision by AANDC clearly demonstrates a lack of awareness, sensitivity and priority for the well-being of our communities.
The Federal Government continues to undermine and cut funding to First Nations people in Canada, particularly in the domain of social development. First Nations will lose all support for front line income assistance workers and this will impact the quality of services for clients. As well, this decision is putting First Nation members out of work and into the unemployment line.
The Federal Government has a compulsory relationship intertwined with constitutional responsibilities concerning the welfare of First Nations people, and is not merely a commercial relationship that can be ended unilaterally by AANDC.
Please sign the petition and help to reinstate FNSDS.
Learn more about FNSDS here: http://www.fnsds.org/
