Donny Morris, the chief of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), expressed concerns about the impact of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent budget on First Nations communities. Specifically, Morris is worried about the future of KI’s Family Law program, also known as KIDO (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Dibenjikewin Onnakonikewin), which was established in April 2023 to assert jurisdiction over child and family services within the community.
Despite ongoing negotiations for a four-year funding agreement with the federal government to support the program, KI leaders were surprised to learn that the agreement would only be extended for two years, creating uncertainties about its sustainability.
Carney’s budget, approved by MPs last week, includes budget cuts of two percent at Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, totaling nearly $2.3 billion by spring 2030. This has prompted Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) in northwestern Ontario to reevaluate its programs due to changes in federal funding priorities.
In response to the budget impact, Indigenous Services Canada emphasized its commitment to collaborating with KI Family Law and supporting comprehensive reforms for Indigenous child and family services. As for Matawa’s affected services, ISC is working closely with them to identify funding options for various programs, including Jordan’s Principle and youth initiatives.
Morris and other Indigenous leaders are questioning the government’s allocation of funds, calling for a reconsideration of budget cuts in Indigenous programming versus international spending. The emphasis is on the importance of true reconciliation and investing in Indigenous-led initiatives to ensure sustainability and progress in community services.