Child Welfare Review Will Include Aboriginal Input

Child Welfare Review Will Include Aboriginal Input

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 14:58

 

 

The man picked to head up consultations over the state of childcare in Saskatchewan says he intends to reach out to the Aboriginal community for advice.

 

Bob Pringle says he wants to talk to both the Metis and the First Nations community about the best way to move forward.

 

Pringle says he wants to talk to both the metis and First Nations community about the best way to move forward.

 

The ministry of Social Services announced yesterday that a sweeping review will be done on all aspects of child welfare.

 

Pringle, who is both a former food bank director and a former MLA, says he expects to hear a lot about social problems, such as the need for safe, affordable housing, and for resources to help families in crisis.

 

He also expects to hear about access to programs, and the relationship between gang activity and children in care.

 

Pringle says he’s appalled at the high number of First Nations children who have been taken from their families, and that is an issue he plans to look at.

 

“I want to talk to the First Nations and the Metis, and all the other stakeholder organizations, about what process would give them a comfort level that the process itself will have integrity,” he says.

 

Meanwhile, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is applauding the planned review.

 

FSIN officials say the move is needed, and they expect their organization to play a meaningful part in the process.

 

They expect that consultations with First Nations will begin next spring.

 

They also note that in June 2008, chiefs passed a resolution calling for an independent review into reports of overcrowding in foster homes.

 

The government says it expects to name someone from the First Nations community to the consultation panel in the upcoming days.