'We are not invisible': Native Council of P.E.I. demands action on mental health

The Native Council of P.E.I. is demanding recognition from the province and, specifically, assistance on mental health issues.

The Native Council represents off-reserve Indigenous people on Prince Edward Island.

Members of the Native Council were outside the provincial legislature Thursday night, handing out letters that said they intend to rally next Thursday if Premier WadeMacLauchlan, who is also minister of aboriginal affairs,didn't respond to their concerns.

"We're not going to be invisible any more," President and Chief Lisa Coopertold CBC News shortly before heading to the provincial legislature to deliver the letters Thursday evening.

"We want inclusion, we want recognition that the Native Council is a distinct aboriginal representative organization."

'Concern and disappointment'

Earlier this week, the Native Council expressed its disappointment in the province's new mental health and addictions strategy, whichCooper saiddoes not include funding for a specific program for off-reserve Indigenous people.

• New P.E.I. mental health and addictions strategy promises improved services
• Native Council of P.E.I. battles to keep drug counselling program

The council has been asking for provincial funding for a new program to replace the Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NADAP), which was cut by the federal government two years ago.

Cooper saidthe issue has been discussed during several meetings with the premier, who promised to help. But two years later, the council is still waiting.

"He said we would work together to find a way of funding a native program or something similar," said Cooper

The Native Council is asking for $42,000 from both the provincial and federal governments to offer the programming.

"We know the off-reserve community," Cooper explained. "They don't want to go a centre that's not cultural."

Commitment to working together

MacLauchlan did speak with council members Thursday night, and committed to meet with them to work on an agenda.

MacLauchlan said the province has been working with the group in regards to mental health strategies, and is open to keep the conversation going.

"We've expressed an openness to receive a further proposal," he said.

"There was a separate initiative where the province has provided some funding for mental health initiatives on the part of the Native Council as well."

MacLauchlan said he would send a letter to the council by next Thursday, in advance of the council's deadline.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Dumping fines sometimes cheaper than dumping fees, and that's a problem
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Some millennials stumped by P.E.I. phone book