NTI not keen on extension of education credit deadline
Aboriginal organizations can manage the fund more effectively and more efficiently: Towtongie
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 24, 2014
NUNAVUT
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) wants nothing to do with the possible extension of the Oct. 31 deadline for former residential school students to apply for personal education credits if it means yet more administration fees will use up the multimillion-dollar fund.
"NTI is concerned that administration costs for a possible extension of personal credit deadline will be expended by Crawford Class Action Services and the Government of Canada, further reducing the amount of transfer to designated First Nation and Inuit organizations after Jan. 1," stated NTI president Cathy Towtongie in an e-mail to Nunavut News/North.
The administration costs of the personal education credit come out of the common experience fund, not the federal government, said Towtongie.
The budget approved by the supervising court was $23.6 million dollars over 15 months. At the start of the personal credit (program), the trust fund held approximately $321 million.
The credit program, with $3,000 available to all common experience payment recipients of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, was announced in January with short timelines. Nunavut News/North reported in October that many claimants were unaware, confused or not able to claim the credit on time. Of the approximately 80,000 eligible recipients, less than 10,000 made their way through the application process for the credit.
After a call from the Assembly of First Nations for an extension, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt said in the House of Commons on Oct. 30 that the parties to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) would have to negotiate any changes to the deadline.
"We made available a one-time personal credit for educational programs and services, for individuals who have received a common experience payment, and as Minister Valcourt said, it is our intention to work with all parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to seek an extension," stated Valcourt's press secretary Erica Meeks in an e-mail Nov. 19.
But, according to NTI, the extension is unnecessary and that won't mean former students won't benefit.
"All unused funds remaining in the (trust fund) after Jan. 1 are scheduled to be transferred to designated aboriginal organizations to be continually administered for education purposes for the benefits of former students," said Towtongie.
She adds that NTI "believes that the aboriginal organizations can manage the fund more effectively and more efficiently."
Towtongie further explained that the Government of Canada, Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit organizations have been finalizing terms and conditions on how the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund and Inuvialuit Education Foundation may disburse funds to former students after personal credit implementation ends, including limiting administration costs as well as ensuring accountability to all former students.
"NTI will receive a proportionate share of the surplus funds once an administration plan is concluded between Inuvialuit Regional Corp., Makivik Corp. and NTI," she said.
Meanwhile, in B.C. on Nov. 20, a Supreme Court order allows applicants to submit their applications for processing until a final decision is made by the courts. The court order authorizes Crawford Class Action Services (which is administering the personal credits on behalf of the Government of Canada) to keep accepting and processing applications and redemption forms. A final decision to extend the deadline for applications has not yet been reached.
"We're pleased the court is providing additional time for former students to submit forms while parties to the IRSSA work toward a final decision on an extension," said AFN Regional Chief Bill Erasmus in Yellowknife, who leads the work of the AFN executive committee in the area of residential schools.
"We understand the administrative process for accessing the personal credits has not been easy and this is why we are doing all we can to assist former students and their families.
"Despite these administrative challenges, we acknowledge that there are many people using creative approaches to setting up initiatives to strengthen language, culture and healing.
"AFN's goal is to help ensure every CEP recipient has the information they need to apply for the personal credits, including exploring all options whether it be giving it to a family member or contributing to a group initiative," Erasmus said.
