FSIN ready to work with province on new child welfare bill

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is doing its part to keep the federal government on task as it deals with political turmoil stemming from the SNC-Lavalin scandal.

Last week, the government tabled a child welfare bill that would essentially give First Nations communities jurisdiction in child welfare matters.

“I think there’s an opportunity in the midst of the chaos,” Vice-chief David Pratt said at a Friday news conference at the federation’s office.

“I think the Liberal government is looking right now, in light of the recent events, to have a win with First Nations people and this is the opportunity.”

The Trudeau government has been under scrutiny over the treatment of former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and her part in the SNC-Lavalin dealings.

Pratt thinks that passing the child welfare bill would go a long way in rebuilding some goodwill between Trudeau and indigenous people.

“This child welfare bill is of most importance and significance,” Pratt said. “Our chiefs have been working on this since 1982.”

Bill C-92 looks to take more decision making power away from provinces and put it back in the hands of First Nations. Pratt hopes those changes are made quickly and that proper funding follows.

‘”We have mothers right now that are getting $600 a month — that number might even be lower — to take care of their children. ” he said. “But when their children are apprehended by the ministry, the ministry will pay a foster parent $1,800.”

A focus of the new bill to put an emphasis on prevention rather than apprehension of children by providing more support for parents.

Pratt noted that roughly 85 per cent of Saskatchewan children in care are indigenous, yet only make up 25 per cent of Saskatchewan’s child population.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Bryn Levy