A Regina judge will hear a case tomorrow over who has jurisdiction over children under the care of the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
It is a long-simmering dispute that escalated recently with the Ministry of Social Services moving to take over the files of about 70 children currently under care of the tribal council.
Attempts to get the files on the children earlier this month failed when the tribal council refused, saying the province would have to take them to court.
A judge is now reviewing the province’s application and will hear the case Tuesday morning in Regina.
At issue is reporting procedures.
The tribal council is required to provide monthly reports to Social Services, but it has refused.
It maintains the province does not have jurisdiction over children on reserves. Last week, Tribal Chief Felix Thomas accused the province of using bullying tactics.
Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer maintains her ministry is not asking the council to do anything that is not being done by 16 other band councils in the province that have similar child welfare agreements.
She says her ministry is responsible for ensuring both on-reserve and off-reserve children receiving child protection are properly cared for and protected.