Labrador Innu to deliver income assistance program

TwoInnu First Nationsaretaking another step towards independence, as the federal government officially transferred responsibility for delivery of its income assistance program to the Innu RoundTable Secretariat of Labrador.

Up until now, the program has been delivered by the provincial government.

Federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett visited Sheshatshiu Monday to make the announcement at the Mary May Centre.

"What this means is that the Innu will be able to ensure culturally sensitive income assistance services to the residents of Natuashish and Sheshatshiu," said Bennett.

"It means better outcomes in the future. It means everybody who deserves it, gets it."

The Innu have already started issuing income support cheques, and on April 1 served 72 clients.

The federal government said income assistance to people in Natuashish and Sheshatsiu was approximately $700,000 through 2015-16.

'It's taking barriers down'

Anastasia Qupee, Grand Chief of the Innu Nation, said having an office to help people in the community will add a level of support for thosewho are seeking the service.

"If they access that program here in the community it's only just going up to the office and sitting down with one of the workers," Qupee said.

"If you need service with the language, it's not going to be a barrier for them, so it's taking barriers down for people to deliver effective services and programs for them."

It's a real privilege because our communities, we speak our own language, we have our own culture.- Anastasia Qupee

Qupee said this is the second milestone the community has reached since taking over responsibility for education,adding it was an emotional step for her.

"Innu people can do the job and so to me that really hits me in the heart because I grew up with those stories. I grew up with what my mother faced in terms of, the Indian agent will make decisions for you," she said.

"First it's education, now it's income support. And it's a real privilege because our communities, we speak our own language, we have our own culture, we have our own identity, we have the support of the elders."

Minister of Environment and Conservation Perry Trimper, representing Premier Dwight Ball at Monday's meeting, said the province will be providing "transitional support" to the Innu and Ottawa over the next year.

The Innu will be delivering the program with monthly "quality assurance reviews" conducted by the provincial and federal government, according to Trimper.

"One year from today, the Innu will provide full delivery of income support to their members," Trimper said.

Meanwhile, Gregory Rich, chief of the Mushuau Innu First Nation, said devolution of the income assistance program has been a long time in the making.

He hopes to see more agreements in the near future.

"Hopefully the next one that will be signed is the land claims agreement," said Rich.