On December 14th, 2018, the Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council released the following statement through its official Twitter account in response to the provincial government’s cuts to the Indigenous Culture Fund.

In addition, correspondence was sent to Jill Dunlop, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe-North. The text of the letter reads as follows:

December 14th, 2018

Jill Dunlop, MPP
Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe-North
TD Canada Trust Bank Plaza, Unit 6
295 King Street
Midland, ON  L4R 3M5

Dear Ms. Dunlop:

I write to you today to express my alarm over the provincial government’s decision to cut $2.25 million to the Indigenous Cultures Fund at the Ontario Arts Council.

The Indigenous Cultures Fund was made in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. It is essential, for the advancement of reconciliation and for the revitalization of Indigenous language and cultures, that this fund continues to support communities and organizations.

The Beausoleil First Nation Youth Council was preparing a proposal to receive funds from the Indigenous Cultures Fund to support the work of culture and language revitalization. This would have enabled us to engage Beausoleil First Nation’s youth and youth across Simcoe-North in the important work of truth and reconciliation.

I call on the provincial government to immediately restore and augment funding for the Indigenous Culture Fund. The importance of this fund in supporting the work of truth and reconciliation cannot be understated.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Lance Copegog
Youth Chief

Download: 12.14.2018 – Dunlop, Jill (MPP) -signed

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