A Aboriginal The outreach organization is calledThe Turtle Team' Asking Federal Government Continue to fund its operations.
Since the beginning of 2021, the Turtle Team has provided culturally based, essential, wrap-around support to Indigenous peoples who Evacuation arrive Winnipeg because Coronavirus diseaseor other natural disasters.
The group said it hopes to provide a full range of services to homeless evacuees and Indigenous people, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual help.
“It’s a sad day for me, and I’m disappointed that we don’t have the funding,” said Black River First Nation Chief Sheldon Kent, who also serves as chair of the board of directors for the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM).
He said the Turtle Corps provided an essential and culturally appropriate service to First Nations people.
“The Red Cross doesn't know our people like the Turtles do. The Turtles know our people because they're from there and they can relate to the culture shock that comes with coming to this city,” he said.
It’s with that understanding that the group has helped smooth the transition, said Pine Creek First Nation Chief Derek Nepinak, the other chair of the FNHSSM board.
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“Not long ago, our families started returning to these urban centres and the idea of Western urban culture emerged around us. We still continue to experience culture shock in the process of being dispossessed,” he said.
“When we go into these environments, we’re faced with the problems that come with concrete buildings.”
The Turtles are asking Ottawa for more than $2 million to cover their operating expenses.
“We have been advocating with the government that we need funding to continue the spiritual work that this team has been doing over the last few years,” Kent said.
If the Turtles don't get the financial support, it will have to lay off 42 players and cease most operations.
“They have the credentials to do the work. They have food handling certificates, CPR certificates; they have all the skills needed to provide all the services,” Kent said.
Pine Creek First Nation Chief Derek Nepinak said their services are not only qualified but vital, and the need for them will grow over time.
“The reason why this is important is that these problems are going to continue. Not only are they going to continue, but they're going to accelerate in the era of climate change. We're talking about floods, we're talking about bushfires in the future,” he said.
He asked, “Why not continue?”
Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said she doesn't believe the Turtles will be such a drain on federal coffers to continue funding them.
“They’re spending millions of dollars to get our people out of (their) communities to come to (the city),” she said. “The proposal that was submitted today is not tens of millions of dollars.”
Global News has reached out to the federal government for a response but has yet to receive a reply.
Even so, she said she hopes Team Turtle will get its money's worth.
“When we talk about a settlement, it comes with a price. It comes with a price tag because it never existed,” she said.
— Attached is Drew Stremick from Global
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