Breadcrumbs route links
The government should not be surprised that an indigenous woman has her on the ropes.
Author of the article:
• Saskatoon StarPhoenix Doug Cuthand Photo by Liam Richards /The StarPhoenix
Content of the article
During this time of reconciliation, Indians have been involved in an ongoing battle with the Department of Indigenous Affairs over the safety and well-being of our children.
While reconciliation is real between people of good will, for the Department of Indigenous Affairs it is only a public relations exercise.
The First Nations Assembly and the First Nations Child and Family Care Society have been in a battle with the federal government for the definition and implementation of the Jordanian principle. The term Jordan Principle is a legal resolution that refers to Jordan River Anderson, a child from Norway House, Manitoba, who was born with serious health problems; Because neither the federal nor the provincial government would take responsibility, he died at the age of five in hospital, having never spent a day at home with his family.
Jordan’s principle was a statement that care should not be denied to indigenous children because of jurisdictional disputes; the bill should be paid and the welfare of the child should come first. It seems incredible that these days something so fundamental needs to be expressed out loud.
Advertising
This ad has not yet been uploaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
It was a dispute between jurisdictions in which a young child was collateral damage. The government refused to take positive action, despite a motion passed unanimously by the House of Commons in 2007. When there was no federal government action, the AFN and the Caring Society began a legal battle of eight years.
They took the federal government to the Canadian Human Rights Court. After eight years of legal disputes and delays by the federal government, in 2016 the court ruled that the definition of the Jordan Principle by Canada was discriminatory and ordered the federal government to implement the full and appropriate scope of Jordan’s legacy. . It was a major victory, but it went nowhere.
The Department of Indigenous Affairs dragged its feet and a few months later the court issued the first of many non-compliance orders against the department. Since then, the federal government has appealed the sentence and the case will have to be heard in federal court on June 14.
Historically, the Department of Indigenous Affairs has maintained a colonial mindset and concluded that it is a law in itself. The idea of an outside agency telling him what to do is contrary to his administrative culture.
The motivating force behind the Indigenous push to make Jordan’s principle a reality has been the First Nations Child and Family Care Society, especially its executive director, Dr. Cindy Blackstock. Under his direction, the case has gone undefeated by legal circles. The problem lies in the will of the Department of Indigenous Affairs.
Advertising
This ad has not yet been uploaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
It would be laughable if it weren’t so childish. Dr. Blackstock was expelled from a meeting with Ontario chiefs held at the minister’s office; she was spied on by the department and even reached her Facebook page.
The government has good reason to fear Dr. Blackstock. She is soft-spoken, thoughtful, compassionate, and intelligent, and she and the organization she works for will not give up until justice is done. His tenacity is the worst nightmare of the colonial office. It has been easy to leave political rhetoric behind: it has been doing so for years. In this case, the natives are armed with legal and moral arguments that cannot be ignored.
They have followed a persistent long-term strategy to get the department to follow its rules and work for the best interest of Indigenous children. They beat the department following their own rules, and will likely win this next round.
The government should not be surprised that an indigenous woman has her on the ropes. According to our history, indigenous societies are run by men, but run by women.
The movement towards control of education in India, Bill C-31, which returned First Nations status to women who married non-indigenous men and the awareness of indigenous women and girls missing and murdered have been driven by women. The growing number of indigenous women in leadership only adds to this critical mass.
Cuthand: the first nations lived together in peace before the treaties
Cuthand: Canada’s Time to Adopt United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Cuthand: The privilege is achieved in times of crisis
Cuthand: It’s time for Canada to address the climate crisis
It seems like the news wants us faster all the time. From COVID-19 updates to politics, crime, and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. With that in mind, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix has created an afternoon newsletter that can be sent daily to your inbox to make sure you’re up to date with the most important news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
Share this article on your social network
Advertising
This ad has not yet been uploaded, but your article continues below.
Saskatoon StarPhoenix News
By clicking the sign up button, you agree to receive the previous Postmedia Network Inc. newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300
Thank you for registering.
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil discussion forum and encouraging all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments can take up to an hour to moderate before appearing on the site. We ask that you keep your comments relevant and respectful. We’ve enabled email notifications – you will now receive an email if you receive a response to your comment, if there is an update to the comment thread you are following, or if a user is following comments. Visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.