The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has ruled the Canadian government is discriminatory in its funding of child welfare services to some children in Canada.
For Cindy Blackstock of the Family Caring Society, I am grateful for you and thankful for your commitment to improving the quality of life for Canadian children. I am inspired and hopeful that change has come to ensure we value every child and afford them every opportunity in this country.
The recommendations coming out of the truth and reconciliation commission are meant to be recognized, and this tribunal ruling is welcome.
Some hard facts: this case was in court for nine years, 168,000 children in the system at that time, and First Nation children now comprise 48 per cent of those in the system.
This is one area of a child’s life. There are many more: education, medicine, diet, housing, dysfunctional families and clean water are all known to affect a child’s well being. These are unacceptable statistics in a country where very young people are taking their lives.
Seems things are changing a bit, though. This is a good day for the children, they have been recognized by a human rights tribunal to have equal value.
Gunalchis (thank you in Tlingit language) to Cindy Blackstock, Assembly of First Nations and all the support in the background for the children.
Colleen James
Wolf Mother, Carcross