Ashley Messier builds hockey legacy with sights on PWHL, Olympics
8h ago
Mark Messier is her distant cousin, but this Sask. hockey product is carving her own path.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is pledging to support the Justice for our Stolen Children camp any way it can as a response to comments made by Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister.
On Tuesday, Minister Don Morgan said he won’t consider a second meeting with the camp until the teepees in Wascana Park are taken down as a sign of good faith, following a meeting between the camp and the provincial government earlier this week.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said Thursday the organization is more than happy, humbled and respectful of what’s going on with the camp.
“All voices matter in this province, whether we’re elected leaders or not, all voices matter, all opinions matter and those voices of the children are by far the most important,” Cameron said.
Morgan suggested directing the province to a form of leadership — whether that be FSIN or another organization — as a next step in the negotiations on Tuesday.
The FSIN will support the camp in any way it can, according to Cameron.
“It’s going to take a lot more than action. We have to have more consistent constructive dialogues, maybe once a week with the good folks of this camp and all of our people, whether we’re elected leaders or not,” he said, adding the organization is there politically and spiritually.
“It’s about finding the equal justice, addressing the racism that obviously exists in the justice system and in the provincial social services system. The child welfare system currently is failing our children.”
The camp stated it’s aim is to to do whatever they can so no other First Nations child has to suffer.
Cameron said he respects Morgan’s wishes, but doesn’t see the teepees leaving anytime soon.
“That’s his opinion and we respect that, but it will be up to (the camp) to decide that. We’ll sit together with our people here, in a circle, and they’ll decide when and if the teepees will come down,” Cameron said.
The FSIN chief said communication lines are open with Morgan, but there is a lot of work still ahead to make systematic changes to the justice system and the social services system.
“Our folks have been ready to take care of our own children. We have many qualified and able, ready families, within our First Nations, that will do justice for our children by caring for them, nurturing them, showing them the tools and skills through language and culture,” Cameron said.
He added the end goal is to create positive change that will meet and reflect the First Nations perspective.