[Indigsol] Media Release: First Nations Child and Family Caring Society Pursues Court Order ..

[Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement -Ottawa]

Source:http://bit.ly/hZOfmC


February 28, 2011

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society Pursues Court Order to
Ensure Human Rights Complaint Against Federal Government Moves Forward

The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCSC) took
legal action today to force the Chair of the Canadian Human Rights
Tribunal to rule on a jurisdictional motion brought by the federal
government challenging the Tribunal’s ability to hear a human rights
complaint against the federal government alleging it racially
discriminates against First Nation children by providing inequitable child
welfare services on reserves.

Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family
Caring Society of Canada, filed the application in Federal Court today and
stated: “I regret that filing this application was necessary but it is
time for the children to come first. They are in vulnerable situations and
these repeated delays by the federal government perpetuate their
vulnerability. Children and the facts need to come before legal loopholes
and government efforts to keep Canadians in the dark.”

The case before the Tribunal was filed in 2007 by the Assembly of First
Nations and the FNCFCS following a number of reports which found that the
federal government is not funding First Nations child welfare agencies at
the same level as provincial services, resulting in inequitable services.
First Nations children and families on reserve lack the same prevention
services offered to other Canadians, case-workers are overburdened, and
many agencies operate without basics like computers or safe office
buildings, which are sorely needed to improve planning, evaluation and the
effectiveness of the services offered to children.

Hearings on the facts were scheduled to begin at the Canadian Human Rights
Tribunal (CHRT) in November of 2009 but, only four days into her
appointment, Tribunal Chair Shirish Chotalia vacated the hearing dates for
reasons that are still unclear.  The federal government then filed a
motion to dismiss the case at the CHRT and hearings were held on this
motion on June 2 and 3, 2010. The Tribunal’s own guidelines require a
ruling to be rendered within four months. That timeline expired and so did
the Tribunal’s second guideline requiring a ruling within six months at
the latest.

“As co-complainants in the Human Rights Tribunal matter, we are completely
supportive of the steps taken by the First Nations Child and Family Caring
Society,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut
Atleo.  “A great deal of time has passed since the parties argued the
motion and, depending on the ruling, it is possible that the hearing on
the complaint could be further delayed.  This would lead to more time and
effort being spent on technical, procedural matters while the status quo
prevails, which is injurious to our children, families and communities. 
It is time to get on with addressing the real issues and ensure safety and
security for our children. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Evidence of the inequality in Indian and Northern Affairs child and family
services program is overwhelming including reports from the Auditor
General of Canada (May 2008), the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
(2009) and numerous reports and papers authored, or commissioned by, the
Federal Government.

The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada is a national
non-profit organization providing services to First Nations child welfare
organizations.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing
First Nations citizens in Canada.


Contact information:

Cindy Blackstock, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
Executive Director
E-mail cblackst at fncaringsociety.com

Don Kelly, Assembly of First Nations A/Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 334 or cell: 613-292-2787 or e-mail dkelly at afn.ca

Jenna Young, Assembly of First Nations Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 401 or cell: 613-314-8157 or e-mail jyoung at afn.ca

Alain Garon, Assembly of First Nations Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 382 or cell: 613 292-0857 or agaron at afn.ca

~~

P.S. Reminder:

Les Algonquins du Lac Barrière : Des siècles de lutte pour le respect et
la coexistence
11h30, Jeudi 3 mars
Pavillon Vanier Hall, salle/room 2095, l’Université d’Ottawa
>> avec Michel Thusky, Ancien directeur général des Algonquins du Lac
Barrière
(presentation in French with whisper translation)

Detail: http://bit.ly/e8PltE


In Solidarity,
IPSMO
on unceded Algonquin Territory
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