Human Rights Tribunal rules child welfare funding discriminatory

THUNDER BAY -- The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision confirming funding disparity for on-reserve child welfare services surprised no one in the region’s First Nations leadership but the recognition was welcomed.

On Tuesday, the tribunal ruled Canada is failing to provide equitable child welfare funding for First Nations children and that failure amounts to discrimination.

“It’s obviously a game changer and as far as the ruling is concerned, once the ruling is implemented, the way child welfare has been delivered in Ontario and Canada will never be the same again,” said Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

“It’s a shock to just your average Canadian to hear that their government has been practicing discriminatory practices against our kids for so long just because of the colour of their skin. That’s what came out in this ruling very clearly. This government knew about these gaps, they knew about the failures in the child welfare system and they did nothing to address those things.”

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Warren White drew parallels between child welfare and the roots of suicide, family and community-wide crises in First Nations. He blamed a decade of Conservative Party rule for financially defending a funding disparity it knew existed.

“The Harper government continued to fight the children. They were fighting the children and spent millions and millions in legal fees trying to fight Indigenous children that were in high need,” he said, adding at least 600 children in Treaty 3 are in care. 

“Those days need to be left behind and we need a new beginning and this is part of reconciliation. You talk about reconciliation. Let’s get on with it.”

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Don Rusnak said the Liberals are prepared to do just that. He too blamed the Conservatives for “chronically underfunding” services for Indigenous families but said personal relationships will inform a bottom-up approach to transforming the child welfare system on reserve.

“We made commitments during the campaign and our government is committed to doing the right thing,” he said.

“More funding is just one of the ways we can do the right thing. There are lots of systematic changes that need to be made.”

White and Fiddler agreed reform needs to come from those most familiar with the limitations of the current system and those who know where potential exists to better meet social demands.

“I think first of all, I would involve our frontline workers,” Fiddler said.

“They’re the experts. They’re our experts and we need to ensure we include their voices in how we implement this decision.”

White spoke in bold terms over where the government could find the funds needed to adequately fund child welfare for First Nations in programs based on need.

“Here’s a solution: get rid of the second largest bureaucracy in the federal government, which is Indian Affairs,” White said.

“Get rid of Indian Affairs and let the communities govern themselves. Get rid of those ivory towers in their Ottawa headquarters. That’s where all the resources are and that’s where all the policies are being made against our people and the children in our communities.”