HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A white woman living on a Nova Scotia Indian reserve says she is being denied welfare benefits because she is white.
Lori Phillips claims the First Nations tribe owes her about $2,000 in back welfare payments for her grandson, CBC News reported.
The federal Indian and Northern Affairs Department told the Annapolis Valley First Nation to pay welfare for the child, but the band said it couldn't afford to pay the benefits.
"I am fighting for what Indian Affairs has said that we're entitled to," said Phillips. "They're trying to force racism on a newborn baby. It's white this, white that."
Phillips and her two children moved to the reserve 14 years ago to live with a First Nations man she eventually married; the child belongs to her 18-year-old daughter, who allegedly left him to be raised by Phillips. Living on the reserve means the family is entitled to benefits from the tribe, the report said.
The tribe has about 230 members and denies Phillips' charges of discrimination.
"I'm not funded for that person. If I give her social assistance, then I have to give everybody that comes into here social assistance," said Chief Brian Toney. "Reimburse me. That's what I'm saying. Reimburse me for the people that you're sending in here to collect social assistance. … Reimburse me that money and I'll give it to them."
Phillips said the tribe has barred her from all public buildings on the reserve, including the gas station.
"They think they can play God up here," Phillips said.
