The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is having its funding slashed from 1 point 6 million dollars, to 500 thousand dollars annually.

The change takes effect as of the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

The federal government announced the funding change earlier this week, claiming it was taking concrete steps to create the conditions for healthier, more self-sufficient Aboriginal communities.

Despite the fact that federal cuts are being made across the board, vice-chief Morley Watson believes this move is a deliberate attempt by the federal government to drastically impact the F-S-I-N's ability to function.

The feds have said the changes will affect Aboriginal Representative Organizations and tribal councils, but will not mean less money for individual bands.

During its announcement, the government points out that its spent an additional 275 million dollars in education funding for First Nations in its 2012 Economic Action Plan.

According to Watson, the move flies in the face of a conversation held with Prime Minister Stephen Harper earlier this year, in which the P-M promised to invest in young Aboriginal people.

(pb sept 6/12)