FSIN Wants Answers from Province About Foster Care

FSIN Wants Answers from Province About Foster Care

Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 13:43

Officials with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations meet with Community Resources Minister Joanne Crofford today about startling revelations concerning foster care in this province.

A recent report from the Children’s Advocate found that there hasn’t always been criminal checks done for all adults in homes where foster children are placed.

Many of these foster kids are of Aboriginal ancestry.

FSIN Vice Chief Guy Lonechild says he was shocked to hear this news, and says the federation wants some answers.

The report also says that of the 34 children that died in foster care from 1997 to 1999 — only a third of them died from natural causes.

Lonechild says in order for the foster care system to improve in this province, there needs to be an expanded role for Indian Child and Family Services agencies — including more funding.