FSIN disagrees with Premier Brad Wall on prevalence of racism in Sask.
The chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is disagreeing with Premier Brad Wall's statement to media Tuesday saying racism is not more prevalent in Saskatchewan.
"We would get put down, physically and emotionally abused every single day for many years in my elementary school years," Bobby Cameron shared, saying racism is a reality in the daily life of Indigenous people in Saskatchewan.
"Further to that, as high school started, it was getting a little better. We have to find that common ground and we will."
Tensions continue to be high following the death of Colten Boushie. The 22-year-old Indigenous man was shot and killed after the vehicle he was in drove onto a rural property near Biggar on Aug. 9.
The property owner, 54-year-old Gerald Stanley, is charged with second-degree murder and is free on bail.
The FSIN has called on the government to put more Indigenous history in Saskatchewan classrooms in an effort to address racist attitudes.
"The FSIN is grateful for … the changes his government made to the education system to incorporate Indigenous history, in particular Treaty education and the work his government has done so far on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action," Cameron said in a written statement, which went on to say that more needs to be done.
Wall told reporters Tuesday that he'd be happy to sit down to discuss the issue with the FSIN.
"We need to start building an understanding, especially in places where there may not be a high First Nations population," Wall said.
"The hope that we should have is, the next generation, they don't have some of the thoughts perhaps that even ours did or that our parents did. I think we should be hopeful about that."
Cameron said it is clear that everyone in the province wants to work together.
"It doesn't matter what skin colour we have, religion or race we are. We all have one goal and that's to ensure the best quality of life for our children and their future."
