(Update: After this story aired Tuesday night Aboriginal Affairs says Esgenoopetitj First Nation signed their funding agreement.)
APTN National News
A New Brunswick First Nation is accusing the federal government of blackmail.
Esgenoopetitj First Nation receives $16 million in annual funding from the federal government.
It’s money the band depends on and usually just signs an agreement and waits for a cheque.
Not this year.
The agreement used to have what’s called a “non-derogation” clause.
That means when First Nations accepted federal money treaty rights weren’t compromised.
That cause isn’t in the agreement this year so the band isn’t signing.
APTN National News reporter Tim Fontaine has the story.
