FNCARES and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Week at the University of Alberta Present

Dr. Cindy Blackstock on The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on First Nations child welfare

Date: March 15, 2016,

Time: 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Location: 4^th Floor Lounge, Education North Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton

In 2007, Dr. Cindy Blackstock and the Assembly of First Nations filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal alleging that Canada discriminates against First Nations children on the basis of race and/or national or ethnic origin by providing inequitable and insufficient funding for child and family services on reserves. In January 2016, the Tribunal ruled in favour of the complainants, ordering the government to cease discriminatory practices against 163,000 affected children and take measures to redress and prevent further discrimination. In this talk, Dr. Blackstock will discuss the Tribunal's findings, the remedies ordered, and what this means for First Nations children's rights in Canada moving forward.

Click here to register for the talk 

For more information about the case:

https://fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness

To read the ruling:

http://decisions.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca/chrt-tcdp/decisions/en/item/127700/index.do    

On Wednesday, February 10, more than 600 children and young people from across the National Capital Region and beyond gathered on Parliament to celebrate love and fairness for First Nations children.

The students read letters, and shared songs and poems calling on the Prime Minister and all Canadians to have a heart for First Nations kids and give them the childhood they deserve.

Listen to their messages in this audio clip recorded and produced by journalist Michelle Bartleman. 

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/

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 Ottawa Citizen article about Peter Henderson Bryce.

Watch the lastest I am Witness vignette here. The final ruling is expected from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) in 2015. 

Click here to read the article. 

http://new.livestream.com/ualberta/foe-followed-11-25-14

Tuesday, November 25, 12:30 - 2:00 pm

Telus Centre, Room 150, University of Alberta, Edmonton

*Live Webcast Streaming: link TBA*

In her presentation "Followed," Dr. Cindy Blackstock will speak about the implications and impact of having her privacy breached by Federal officials. What was the purpose and reasons behind the extraordinary effort undertaken by Federal officials to monitor and gather information on Dr. Blackstock? This incredible story of one person will shock and surprise practitioners in the information rights community. This situation will give pause for thought and reflection about the value of privacy in a free and democratic society, and the implications for others working towards equity and human rights for everyone in Canada. 

Dr. Blackstock's presentation will be followed by a panel discussion involving Jill Clayton, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta and Mary Marshall, Health Privacy Law expert and former Alberta Health Advocate. These two panel speakers will discuss social trends and privacy breaches that impact the rights of citizens to have their privacy protected. 

Audience members will be encouraged to ask questions and join in a discussion about privacy, fundamental human rights and the elements of our society that are important for maintaining a healthy civil society and democracy. 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS OPEN PUBLIC EVENT. No registration required.

Room is wheelchair accessible. Join Facebook event, and invite your friends: https://www.facebook.com/events/695615830521889/