By Greg Fry with files from Canadian Press

Skeetchestn chief on housing dollars: “We need to get off the gerbil wheel of dependence”

Jun 18, 2018 | 2:25 PM

SAVONA, B.C. — Skeetchestn Chief Ron Ignace says he’s thankful the provincial government has announced a $550 million investment into on-reserve housing, but notes it’s not what First Nations people really need.

On Monday, Premier John Horgan announced the money would be spread out over the next 10 years to build and operate 1,750 new units of social housing for projects, both on and off reserve.

“You can’t help but be grateful for the province to be concerned that Indigenous people have safe and secure housing but nonetheless, it’s 1,750 units. What we need, what the province needs is to give us our land and resources so that we can build our own economies, build our own homes, finance our own education institutions, our own health programs. We don’t have an economy,” he says.

Ignace says until First Nations and the province negotiate a settlement, that won’t happen.

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“Government is always giving out these kind of programs that we continually chase after. It’s like being a gerbil wheel and we need to get off of that. If we’re talking about reconciliation we need to get serious about the land title question.”

Ignace’s comments contrast with those of B.C. Housing Minister Selina Robinson, who called the funding a major step forward in making sure there is more safe and secure housing available for Indigenous peoples.

They also fly in the face of comments made by Chief Bob Chamberlain with the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs who said he’s encouraged with this first step by the provincial government.