Grand Chief attending Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on ‘flawed’ child and family services

10/21/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. is attending hearings being conducted by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in relation to a complaint alleging that Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada’s provision of First Nations child and family services is “flawed, inequitable and discriminatory” under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Grand Chief Delisle is attending today’s hearing in support of Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) Executive Director Derek Montour. KSCS’ position is consistent with that of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (“Caring Society”) and the Assembly of First Nations, the two organizations that filed the complaint in February 2007. Closing arguments of the Tribunal are being heard until this Friday, October 24, 2014.

“It’s been years since this complaint was launched and now the Caring Society has its day before the Human Rights Tribunal,” said Grand Chief Delisle. “Hopefully, this issue will get resolved in our favor. If so, it would have far reaching positive effects in the health and social services sectors.”

According to the Caring Society, the Federal government was unsuccessful in its earlier efforts to get the case dismissed on technical grounds, arguing that “child welfare services delivered to First Nations should not be compared to those delivered to all other Canadians.”