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Summer 2009 1 Spring 2008 Special recognition to AFN National Chief, PHIL FONTAINE Thank you for supporting First Nations Children. Best wishes to you in your future endeavours! With Deepest Appreciation We have been so thankful for the generous support of so many in helping us make our vision of equality for First Nations children a reality. Special thanks to: Summer 2009 1. Liam Sharp (liamsharp.com) has volunteered to take pictures demonstrating the dignity with which First Nations children, youth and families endure long lasting government funding inequalities. Congratulations to ... 2. Stikeman Elliott, LLP for providing pro bono legal support to respond to the Government of Canada’s attempts to overturn the decision by the Canadian Human It has been an especially proud time for the First Rights Commission to hold a tribunal to determine if Indian Affairs funding formula Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for First Nations child welfare is discriminatory. these past few months. Here are some of the amazing 3. Jeffery Wilson, Wilson Christen LLP for his excellent work on the Canadian Human accomplishments of our board and staff we would like Rights Tribunal. you to know about: 4. National Association of Friendship Centres for hosting a fund raising event to help Landon Pearson, Board Member has been honoured as support the legal costs associated with the child welfare human rights case and an Ontario Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition promote equality for First Nations children, youth and families. for her excellent and longstanding contributions to 5. Yellowhead Tribal Services CFS and the Caring For First Nations Children Society childrens’ rights both in Canada and around the world. for co-hosting a fund raising luncheon for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Congratulations Landon! Society. Joan Glode, Vice President of the Board received an 6. National Chief Phil Fontaine for all of his support for First Nations child and family honorary doctorate degree from Dalhousie University services during his term as National Chief of Assembly of First Nations and wishing for her tireless and important work in Aboriginal him every happiness and success in his new endeavours. child welfare and ground breaking work to integrate 7. The Printing House for their excellent work and generosity. Aboriginal child welfare into School of Social Work programming (see picture above). Marlyn Bennett, FNCFCS Director of Research, was admitted into the doctoral program at the University of Manitoba and has received a SSHRC award in recognition of her academic excellence. Cindy Blackstock, FNCFCS Executive Director, received her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Toronto. Congratulations to ... Joan Glode (middle) who received an honorary doctorate from Dalhousie University, pictured here with Dr. Fred Wien, Professor (left), and Nancy MacDonald, Assistant Professor (right), from the School of Social Work, Dalhousie University www.fncaringsociety.com Human Rights Case Update On February 27, 2007, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada filed a complaint against the Government of Canada alleging that the funding formula for First Nations child and family services on reserves is discriminatory. It is a historic case as this is the first time in history that the Canadian government is being held accountable for its current treatment of First Nations children. Here are some of the developments since that time: 1. INAC has consistently questioned the jurisdiction of the Canadian Human Rights Commission to hear the matter. 2. The Canadian Human Rights Commission conducted a thorough investigation which recommended that the matter be referred to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for a full hearing. 3. In May of 2008, the Auditor General of Canada releases her report finding that INAC’s funding formulas for First Nations child and family services are inequitable. 4. Upon being officially notified of the CHRC decision to hold the tribunal in October of 2008, the Government of Canada immediately appealed the decision into federal court in an effort to get the tribunal dismissed and get court costs from the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. The Government of Canada is not challenging the substantial merits of the discrimination case, instead they are trying to get the tribunal stopped on the basis of legal technicalities. The federal court case does not stop the tribunal from moving forward. The first court appearance on the federal case is set for September 11, 2009 in Ottawa. 5. In May of 2009, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts issues a report following up on hte recommendations made by the Auditor General of Canada (2008) on First Nations Child and Family Services. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts report expresses significant concern that funding inequities in First Nations child and family services are continuing. 6. Several case conferences have been held with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal chair to prepare for the tribunal hearings. The next case conference is in July and we hope that dates for the tribunal will be set at that time. We need your help! Make a donation on line at www.fncaringsociety.com or by sending a check payable to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, 302 251 Bank Street, Ottawa, K2P 1X3 in support of the human rights case. Spread the world about the Human Rights case in your communities and organizations. Let the Canadian government know that you want this case decided on the merits of the case and not legal technicalities. It only takes a minute and here is the Prime Minister’s email [email protected] 40% of all children in the child welfare system, despite comprising Ottawa Fundraiser a Success! only 2% of the population – there are more First Nations children The FNCFCS extends special thanks to the National Association of in the child welfare system now than there were at the height of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for hosting a fundraiser in support of the residential school system. Additionally, First Nations child the Human Rights Complaint launched jointly with the Assembly of and family service agencies receive 22% less funding, resulting First Nations (AFN). The event took place at the Odawa Friendship in limited resources for in-home support for families. FNCFCS Centre on June 18, with more than 150 people in attendance to Director Cindy Blackstock spoke about these inequalities in the support our cause and help raise more than $10,000 to fi ght for child welfare system, supporting her powerful message with images equality. Many members of the community donated their time and of children in Attawapiskat, photographed by internationally talents to make the event a success, including Elder Thomas Louttit, renowned photographer, Liam Sharp. a residential school survivor who shared his experiences and opened In addition to Cindy’s presentation, we were honoured to hear from the evening with a prayer, and mother-daughter dance-duo Jaime National Chief Phil Fontaine as he spoke about the importance Koebel and Hunter McKenzie who added energy and excitement to of reconciliation, respect, and justice. Special guest speakers also the stage. Peter Dinsdale, Executive Director of the NAFC, acted included National Chief Candidates Shawn Atleo, Perry Bellegarde as Master of Ceremonies, and spoke about his own motivation to and John Beaucage. Guests enjoyed refreshments provided by become involved in the Human Rights Case to support the FNCFCS Aboriginal Experiences on Victoria Island, and bid on silent auction and AFN in their fi ght for equitable treatment of all children in items donated by the community at large. The event was a huge Canada. success, fi lling the Odawa Friendship Centre and raising funds and The Human Rights Complaint fi led jointly by the FNCFCS and awareness about the need for equality for First Nations children in AFN is truly historic as it marks the fi rst time in Canadian history Canada. As the Human Rights Complaint approaches tribunal, the in which the Government is being held accountable for current support shown by the NAFC and members of the community is discriminatory treatment of children. First Nations children make up greatly appreciated by all those involved in the campaign. 2 The deadline for submissions to the Fall/Winter issues of the First Peoples Child and Family Review Journal is: October 30th, 2009 For more information call: Marlyn Bennett Coordinator Editor, First Peoples Childi and Family Review (204) 452-9467 [email protected] www.fncaringsociety.com/ pubs/ onlineJournal.html Watch for the new issue coming August 2009 and the message was a powerful one. Many of the Shaking the Movers Conference young people cited Cindy’s presentation as both the Shaking the Movers is an annual conference organized most memorable part of the Conference and the most through the Landon Pearson Resource Centre for the important topic that they learned about. Cindy shared Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights. It brings ways that each participant could become involved in together young people between the ages of 12 and the Human Rights Campaign and make a difference, 20 from across the country to talk about their rights for example by showing support of Jordan’s Principle as outlined by the UN Convention on the Rights of through the FNCFCS website (http://www.fncfcs.com). the Child. Youth participation is an integral aspect of recognizing children’s rights, and one that has been Additional presenters included Joanne Cave from championed by FNCFCS Board Member, Senator Ophelia’s voice, a non-profit focusing on empowering Landon Pearson. Senator Pearson has brought young women to affect social change; Samira Ahmed attention to the importance of engaging young people from FYBY News, an organization that provides news in dialogue about their rights and sharing their thoughts and information “for youth, by youth”; Valerie Kelly- and opinions with policy makers.
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