On September 6, 2019, in an historic ruling (2019 CHRT 39), the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to pay compensation to First Nations children, youth and families for its “willful and reckless” discriminatory practices in providing services to First Nations children and families. 

The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society is saddened that Canada has chosen to appeal this decision in Federal Court versus accepting responsibility for its wrongdoing and undertaking every measure to stop it and prevent its recurrence. In the ruling, the “Panel [found] it [had] sufficient evidence to find that Canada’s conduct was wilful and reckless resulting in what [they] have referred to as a worst-case scenario under our Act” (p.73). This conduct has been linked to unnecessary family separations and child deaths and continues to delay justice for First Nations young people. 

Implementing the Spirit Bear Plan to end government inequalities is essential to ensure that First Nations young people have the same opportunities to grow up safely, be healthy, get a good education and be proud of who they are. Learn more at https://fncaringsociety.com/spirit-bear-plan

Read more:

• Application to the Federal Court
• APTN article
• CBC article

Read this Opinion piece by Dr. Cindy Blackstock in the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-ottawa-willfully-discriminated-against-first-nations-children-silence/

In the First Nations Session Summary report in "Informing Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy",  the Spirit Plan to end inequalities for First Nations children and families is mentioned. 

Watch this CBC Power & Politics clip regarding the proposed Indigenous legislation featuring Jorge Barrera and Cindy Blackstock. 

Have a Heart Day is coming up on February 14, 2019! Learn more about celebrating love and fairness for First Nations children and register your event!

You are invited to the premiere screening of Finding Peter Bryce. This event will take place at the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa on May 10, 2018. The doors will open at 6:00 pm and programming will start at 6:30 pm. For the best seats please arrive somewhere between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

Agenda:

6:00 pm: Doors Open

6:30 pm: Programming Begins

Finding Peter Bryce Synopsis:

Growing up, all Andy Bryce knew about his great-grandfather was that he wrote the first health code in Canada, and he lived in a big house in Ottawa. But that all changed the day Andy opened a box of family memorabilia that his mother had left for him when she died. He discovered that his great-grandfather, Dr. Peter H. Bryce was the Chief Medical Health officer for the Department of Indian Affairs in 1907 when he reported on appalling health conditions in residential schools on the prairies. Bryce’s report was discredited by the department’s chief bureaucrat Duncan Campbell Scott, and Bryce was later relieved of his duties at Indian Affairs. But for the rest of his life, Peter Henderson Bryce would lobby for better conditions for Indigenous people. He went on to write Story of a National Crime – An Appeal for Justice to the Indians of Canada.

In Finding Peter Bryce, journalist and teacher Andy Bryce traces his great-grandfathers story – from his childhood in rural Ontario, to his mysterious death on a cruise ship in the West Indies. He finds a brilliant and complex man who spoke truth to power and who could also inspire his grandchildren in the wonders of the garden. We are left wondering how many other great stories are to be found stored in cardboard boxes and forgotten filing cabinets.

Link to trailer: https://vimeo.com/189577852

OTTAWA, ON (February 1, 2018, 9:00 a.m.) – The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) has issued a fourth compliance order finding Canada’s approach to First Nations child welfare to be unlawful and discriminatory.

Important notice for 60's Scoop survivors. The Caring Society is not directly involved in this proceeding. Contact persons listed in the notice for further information.