The Caring Society does its best to provide the latest news on our campaigns and events. Follow us on Twitter! (@Caringsociety, @SpiritBear)
On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will release its ruling on the First Nations child welfare discrimination case. The Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations will hold a press conference at 1 pm. Watch it live: livestream.com/afn/iamawitness.
In 2007, the Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations filed a human rights complaint against the federal government alleging that inequitable funding for child welfare on reserves amounts to discrimination on the basis of racial origin. The complaint was eventually presented to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Hearings began in February 2013 and came to a close in October 2014. On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, nine years after the complaint was filed, the Tribunal will finally release its ruling.
In this story for the Canadian Press, reporter Kristy Kirkup talks to Caring Society executive director Cindy Blackstock about her experience of the case, and what was kept her going all these years.
A ruling on the First Nations child welfare human rights case is expected between December 21, 2015 to January 29, 2016.
For updates, keep an eye on fnwitness.ca and follow @Caringsociety on Twitter.
Cindy Blackstock writes in the Globe and Mail about why an inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women ought to include an examination of how structural inequities in child welfare put First Nations girls & women at greater risk for disadvantage and violence. Read the article here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/a-mmiw-inquiry-must-examine-the-child-welfare-system/article27549551/
Tribunal decision update on the occasion of the tragic passing of Tribunal member Bélanger.
In memory of Tribunal Member Bélanger. We are forever grateful to you for your service.
Shannen Koostachin remains an important role model for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and young people who continue to carry her dream for safe and comfy schools for all First Nations children in Canada. On November 27, 2015, Charlie Angus talked about his new book about Shannen and indigenous education on CBC's The Current. Listen here.
Caring Society executive director Cindy Blackstock calls on newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to put an end to inequalities for First Nations children, in a letter dated October 20, 2015.
For more about the First Nations child welfare human rights case, and Cindy's hopes for the new government, read this story on APTN National News.
Following our October 14 "Reconciliation in post-secondary" event at the University of Alberta, Keavy Martin posted a blog responding to the event and calling for changes at the university: http://blog.ualberta.ca/2015/11/a-consider-this-opinion-piece-on-being.html
On October 14, 2015, FNCARES co-hosted the public lecture "Reconciliaion in Post-Secondary: Implementing the TRC Recommendations" at the University of Alberta. Speakers were Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Charlene Bearhead and Dr. Eber Hampton, and Dr. Keavy Martin chaired the event. The lecture hall was filled, and more joined us via the Live Stream, which is now available to everyone here: https://connect.srv.ualberta.ca/p46arglwcv1/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal. In her blog preceding the event, Cindy Blackstock states that, "[t]o meaningfully engage in reconciliation, universities must look beyond recruitment of Aboriginal faculty and students and the development of Aboriginal programs towards acknowledgement of the historic and contemporary colonial bones of the university itself." Read the entire blog here: http://blog.ualberta.ca/2015/10/a-consider-this-opinion-piece.html.
Read the Caring Society's guest post on the Canadian Paediatric Society blog.
Read the APTN article on Peter Henderson Bryce.
On August 16, the Caring Society, Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Marie Wilson, members of the Bryce family and other friends and supporters gathered at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Peter H. Bryce.
The Ottawa Citizen previewed the event in this article.
And in this video, APTN National News speaks with Dr. Peter Bryce's grandson, Andy Bryce and Caring Society Executive Director Dr. Cindy Blackstock.
Read the Ottawa Citizen article about Peter Henderson Bryce.
On June 10, 2015, chiefs from across Quebec and Labrador signed a Declaration on the Rights of First Nations Children. The declaration proclaims First Nations children's rights to grow up safely, be healthy, get a good education, learn their languages and be proud of their cultures.
The Aboriginal Children in Care Working Group, made up of departmental ministers across the provinces and territories, releases its report to Canada's premiers.
Nominations for health professionals who courageously advocate for the safety, health or well- being of Inuit, Métis and First Nations children and youth are now being accepted until October 16, 2015. Click here to learn more about Peter Henderson Bryce, the Award, and past winners.
Click here to access information sheets on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on First Nations child welfare by the Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal.
Click here to read the article from Muskoka Metroland Media.
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) found that the federal government did retaliate against Cindy Blackstock and awards $20, 000 in damages. Dr. Blackstock will donate any funds to children's charities. Click here to read the decision.
Watch the new 5 second Caring Society commercial done by Horizon Travel & Lifestyle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMcxzuLQuSk. It will be playing May/June 2015 in the Toronto subway tunnels.
