The FSIN is standing with the Saskatoon Tribal Council as the group continues to fight with the provincial government to maintain jurisdiction over child welfare files.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Bob Merasty said Friday he believes First Nations communities are best suited to care for children. He was responding to a move earlier this week that saw Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services demand access to child welfare files from the tribal council.
“Who takes better care of our young ones, our families, than our communities?” Merasty said.
The tribal council, which refused to give up the files, said earlier this week the government’s demand was a tactic to undermine First Nations’ authority.
Merasty agreed.
“The Social Services Ministry has no jurisdiction regarding on-reserve matters, especially when it comes to First Nation children,” he said in a new release. “The Saskatoon Tribal Council has been very open about their efforts to resolve the matter but the Ministry has not been responsive.”
Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said Tuesday the council has refused to give the ministry access to files for children it serves on reserve, so the government has no idea how many children are being cared for or what kind of care they're receiving.
Harpauer said the safety of vulnerable children is the primary concern and the province is stepping in.
The FSIN hopes a resolution is in the near future.
--- with files from The Canadian Press
