Cindy Blackstock: First Nations children and their families should receive some measure of justice without having to fight Canada for it. Why won’t Canada pay?

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The Caring Society does its best to provide the latest news on our campaigns and events. Follow us on Twitter! (@Caringsociety, @SpiritBear)
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Blackface and an about-face: How Canada's promise of reconciliation went wrong
October 07, 2019
Read Dr. Cindy Blackstock's Toronto Start Opinion piece: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2019/10/07/black-face-and-about-face-how-canadas-promise-of-reconciliation-went-wrong.html
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Breaking: Federal Government challenges 2019 CHRT 39
October 04, 2019
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:
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'A mountain of power': The impact of Cindy Blackstock
September 20, 2019
Listen to this episode of Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild and Dr. Cindy Blackstock as they discuss the CHRT and Jordan's Principle.
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Opinion: Ottawa willfully discriminated against First Nations Children. Silence is no longer an option.
September 11, 2019
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/
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Another win for First Nations kids
September 06, 2019
Another win for First Nations children and their families as the Canadian Human Right Tribunal (CHRT) issues the 8th non-compliance order regarding compensation for First Nations children, youth and families who have been harmed by the child welfare system.
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"What We Heard - Informing Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy"
July 22, 2019
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.
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When will Ottawa end its willful neglect of First Nations children?
July 18, 2019
Read this opinion piece in the Globe and Mail by Dr. Cindy Blackstock: When will Ottawa end its willful neglect of First Nations children?
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Power & Politics Re: Indigenous Legislation
February 06, 2019
Watch this CBC Power & Politics clip regarding the proposed Indigenous legislation featuring Jorge Barrera and Cindy Blackstock.
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Have a Heart Day
January 04, 2019
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!
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Spirit Bear's Reconciliation Resources
June 26, 2018
Happy Summer! School is out for summer but... it's never too soon to start planning for September! Check out Spirit Bear's Book and accompanying learning guide, as well as the Reconciliation Ambearssadors Program!
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Premiere Screening of "Finding Peter Bryce"
May 10, 2018
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
PDF File(s)
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Tribunal again tells feds to fund Indigenous child welfare, minister agrees
February 09, 2018
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Canada Fails to Grasp the “Emergency” in First Nations Child Welfare: Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Finds Federal Government Non-Compliant with Relief Orders
February 01, 2018
Read the Caring Society press release.
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CTV News - Tribunal again tells feds to fund Indigenous child welfare, minister agrees
February 01, 2018
external links
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Breaking News: Tribunal issues fourth non-compliance order against Canada on FN child welfare
February 01, 2018
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.
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Cindy Blackstock's Spirit Bear book written to explain human rights to youngsters
January 04, 2018
APTN reports on release of Spirit Bear book.
external links
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How a teddy bear received an honorary degree and why his work for Indigenous children still isn't done
December 12, 2017
Read the CBC article.
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AFN resolution in support of the Spirit Bear Plan
December 07, 2017
The Chiefs passed a resolution in support of the Spirit Bear plan at the Special Chiefs Assembly.
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CBC Radio - Fix First Nations child welfare system now, says Cindy Blackstock
December 02, 2017
link here