DIA (Department of Indian Affairs) considers move to reserve.

By Ray Lawrence

Windspeaker Contributor

FORT FOLLY

FIRST NATION, N.B.

Although the Atlantic regional office of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is not about to pull up the tent pegs and relocate overnight, it might happen in the not too distant future. At least that is what one chief of a New Brunswick First Nation hopes.

Fort Folly First Nation is a 20-minute drive from Amherst, N.S., where the regional office is currently located and is the principle contender in the pursuit of the regional headquarters relocation. It is not just a pipe dream, but there are still some obstacles to be overcome before it will happen.

There are pros and cons to be weighed, but at least the idea to have government offices on reserve is not a new one. Indian Oil and Gas is located on Sarcee territory, not far from Calgary.

The situation is somewhat similar for Fort Folly First Nation, which is close to the current DIAND location and is also located in a strategic central spot in the Atlantic provinces.

But there is more to moving the regional office than a token shift of office equipment; there are long and short term spin-offs that would benefit both the First Nation and the nearby communities.

Fort Folly First Nation Chief Joseph Knockwood said basing the regional office on-reserve would encourage more long-term employment of First Nations people and inject more capital into the communities.

"Why should an Indian Affairs building be situated in Amherst and they're getting all the goods?" asks Knockwood. He had hoped the department would relocate to his, the closest, First Nation on its own accord, but rather they have conditionally agreed to the move provided Fort Folly has compete support from all chiefs in the region.

They came up one short on the most recent vote.

"We are the hub of the Maritimes for First Nations. If you move the office further into Nova Scotia, then our people in New Brunswick will have a longer way to go to get there," said the chief.

He said that would discourage people in the north from coming down to do business with the department.

Such a move is more than politically correct; there are substantial spin-offs of which First Nations do not currently benefit to the fullest extent possible, including direct employment and opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures.

Lease fees go to non-Native landowners when they could be directed toward First Nations, and from there into economic development or improving social conditions.

It is not a guaranteed boon for local economic development but it is a huge step in the right direction. It could lead to other regional offices relocating as well as offices of other government organizations that deliver services to Aboriginal people such as Medical Services Branch at Health Canada.

"The spin-off is that you would have First Nations people working for Indian Affairs," said Knockwood. "They don't like working there now because they get taxed heavily. They would rather work on their own First Nation territory but if you are working on another First Nation you wouldn't have to worry about being taxed to death."

There is more to the issue than just tax.

The atmosphere on-reserve is more attractive to First Nations people who have grown up in close-knit communities where people know each other and care about each other, with much closer contact with the people the department is working for.

"It only leads to good relationships between the two," said John Dempsey, policy and communications advisor with Indian Oil and Gas.

"The people in government have to see the impact of what they do and if you can put a face to the decisions you make, hopefully that will improve things.

"One thing is, it's out of the hustle and bustle of the city and you're working closely with your own people. You can't beat the calmness of coming here every morning," he said, adding there are many reasons why such situations make working for government more appealing for First Nations people.

Chief Knockwood notes that with his proposal there are other benefits for the department and for the surrounding non-Native communities.

There would be a greater demand for services such as restaurants, theatres, gyms, and a number of other services, many of which would be provided by the surrounding communities.