[Indigsol] Save these Dates- June 2 & 3, 2010 at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

[Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement -Ottawa]

Please see following message from Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of
the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, has more information
about the Human Rights Commission tribunal and encourages everyone to
attend the
hearings on June 2 & 3 in Ottawa.


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The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Resumes
June 2, 3, 2010 (9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
11th floor, 160 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario

Come witness history as the Canadian government tries to derail a full
hearing on the facts at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to determine
whether its First Nations child and family services program discriminates
against First Nations children by providing a lesser level of child welfare
benefit than other children receive.

Numerous reports, including several commissioned by Canada, reveal that
the federal government's program is inadequate and inequitable. The only
response to inequity by the federal government has been to offer some
First Nations a funding formula that was ruled flawed and inequitable by
the Auditor General of Canada in her May 2008 report.

The Federal Government filed two actions in Federal Court to try to derail
the tribunal and were unsuccessful so they are have filed a similar motion
at the Tribunal. This motion to dismiss brought by Canada will be the
subject of the hearings on June 2, 3, 2010.

The parties opposing Canada's motion include: The Assembly of First
Nations, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, Chiefs of
Ontario, Canadian Human Rights Commission, and Amnesty International.

First Nations want to see a full and public hearing on the facts. We believe
that the safety and well-being of children demands nothing less than that
and should be conducted in a public forum to ensure proper accountability
of all parties.

We have launched the "I am a witness" campaign that invites caring
people of all ages and organizations to sign up to be a witness. Being a
witness means you agree to follow the tribunal by either coming in person,
through our facebook page, our website or the media. Hear both sides of
the story and then make up your own mind about whether or not Canada
is treating First Nations children fairly. You can join over 4200 other
witnesses by signing up at www.fnwitness.ca. It is completely free and
takes under two minutes. Show First Nations children that you care
enough to watch over them

Thanks so much and I hope to see you at the Canadian Human Rights
Tribunal hearing on June 2, 3, 2010

Cindy Blackstock, PhD
Executive Director
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
302 251 Bank Steet, Ottawa K2P 1X3
Ph: 613 230 5885
Fax: 613 230 3080
Email: cblackst at fncaringsociety.com
URL: www.fncaringsociety.com

PS:

The transcripts on the cross examinations of Odette Johnston (INAC)
testifying on behalf of Canada's motion to derail the tribunal on the legal
loophole argument that child welfare funding is not a service and Tom
Goff, Elsie Flette and Cindy Blackstock arguing against Canada's motion
and in favour of a full hearing on the merits are now posted on-line under
the tribunal time line at www.fnwitness.ca

Those planning to attend the hearing on June 2 & 3, 2010 may want to
read these in advance.  Odette Johnston's testimony may represent the
first time an INAC official has testified under oath about Canada's current
treatment of First Nations children.



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In Solidarity,
IPSMO
On unceded Algonquin Territory

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