Cindy Blackstock speaks in Saskatoon on Friday. Photo courtesy @VivianGauvin, Twitter
A First Nations child welfare activist says more action is needed for First Nations children across the country.
In late January the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled the federal government discriminated against children on reserves in its funding of child welfare services.
The executive director of The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society Dr. Cindy Blackstock, is the woman initially brought the human rights complaint before the tribunal, and was a keynote speaker in Saskatoon Friday morning at the Think Indigenous Education Conference.
While speaking to a roomful of educators Dr. Blackstock says despite the historic decision, the federal government has made no changes to welfare for First Nations children.
“While the federal government applauded the decision they have done absolutely nothing, so the same discrimination that existed last year still exists today,” said Blackstock.
“How long do we keeping talking to the government while they do nothing and how long must we peacefully and respectfully protest against something like this?”
During her presentation Blackstock spoke on residential schools, the so-called 60s Scoop, her experience during the tribunal decision and what she views as inequality in the current Canadian education system.
She says while viewing the history of these events Canadians have to realize children are experts on reconciliation.
“They know that the power of reconciliation is not in the knowing it is in the doing something about it and that has always been where the Government of Canada has failed. It hasn’t been because they don’t know the answers it has been in the failure to implement it,” said Blackstock.
“We have to stand up with our kids because not only are they reconciliations best hope they are the future of our nations. Without them there will be no Indigenous education, no Indigenous child welfare, no Indigenous languages and no Indigenous lands. We must stand up for them. They are more important than we are.”
After the presentation the room stood in applause as Blackstock was given a gift of appreciation from conference organizers.
The Think Indigenous Education Conference ran all week and nearly 600 educators participated.
Conference organizers said the goal of the conference had been to showcase the strength of Indigenous education to a wide audience.