The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is voicing his disappointment with a provincial decision to cut a First Nations, Inuit and Metis culture program.
As part of their plan to reduce the deficit, the PC’s have announced that arts sector spending will go from $18.5 million down to $6.5 million, with the Ontario Arts Council receiving 10-million less from the government.
Five million of that comes from axing an Indigenous Culture Fund.
Alvin Fiddler says these cuts send a terrible message, noting the arts, including music and storytelling, are a big part of Indigenous culture.
Fiddler adds the arts also help their youth in their healing journey and he mentions this announcement comes just two days after a number of NAN students performed in Toronto at the Sony Centre for Performing Arts.
