Please Support Oneida Activist Whose Ontario Works Income is Being Improperly Cut

Paul Doxtator lives on the territory of the Oneida Nation on the Thames. He
is active around the issues his People face and is an outspoken critic of
the Indian Act Band Council. Like many in his community, he is forced to
survive as best he can on the sub poverty payments provided by Ontario
Works. Last year, he attended a meeting dealing with First Nations issues
and was issued a small honorarium to cover his costs. The Oneida Ontario
Works office has deducted this from his cheque and he is worried they may do
this again in the future.

There is no doubt that, even under the punitive rules of the welfare
system, the actions of the Oneida OW office are improper. Directive 5.7
makes clear that sums of money should not be deducted if they are 'casual
gifts of small value' or cover 'out of pocket expenses'. Paul has appealed
the decision and OCAP has written on his behalf but the money is still being
withheld. We are asking our allies and supporters to act in solidarity with
Paul and send e mails to the Oneida OW office calling on them to repay the
improper deduction and refrain from such conduct in future.

The OW official to write to is sheri.haselbah@oneida.on.ca and we ask
that messages be cc'd to the Council member responsible for OW, which is
deborah.hill@oneida.on.ca. Also, please Bcc to Paul at kpd1326@yahoo.com
and ocap@tao.ca.