Saskatchewan’s Advocate for Children and Youth says the newly formed Elder Advisory Council will help guide the advocate’s office moving forward.
Children’s Advocate Lisa Broda and other staff from the advocate’s office recently met with the six individuals on the Elder Advisory Council at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. There, they signed a term of reference to officially begin the Elder Council’s mandate.
“Staff are keen to receive the benefits of the Elders’ wisdom and to gain deeper knowledge about their culture and traditions that will guide our work,” said Borda in a media release.
The Advocates office says the six Council members represent cultural and linguistic Indigenous groups from throughout the province.
“The number of [Indigenous] children in care is still too high,” said Elder Gilbert Kewistep, one of the members of the Council. “Things won’t change unless we do something about it. We need to think outside the box. I thank the Advocate for putting together the Elder Group […] to make change. I know we can do it.”
The Children’s Advocate believes the timing of the signing is significant as it happened just prior to Canada’s first ever National Truth and Reconciliation Day happening on September 30th.
“We are very excited and honoured to formally welcome the members of the Elder Advisory Council to our office. Our work and our path forward will be that much stronger as we receive their ongoing guidance and teaching not only for Indigenous children but for all children in Saskatchewan,” said Broda.
(Photo provided by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth)