NAN Continues the Fight for Fairness in Child Welfare Services
This week, Falconers LLP lawyers, Julian Falconer, Akosua Matthews and Anthony Morgan, are in Ottawa serving as counsel for Nishnawbe Aski Nation (“NAN”) during the cross-examinations of some of Canada’s main witnesses from Health Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. The cross-examinations are part of the proceedings to get Canada to stop discriminating against Indigenous children in the provision of child welfare services.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and NAN recently held their Winter Chiefs Assembly earlier this month where First Nation leaders discussed various issues including, child welfare, infrastructure, and suicide prevention. These are among the issues to be examined in Ottawa this week.
On January 19, Grand Chief Fiddler called for a coordinated emergency response following the tragic suicides of 12-year-olds Jolynn Winter, and Chantel Fox of Wapakeka First Nation on January 8, and January 10, 2017 respectively. To address this and the ongoing and urgent suicide crisis facing NAN communities, Falconers LLP filed an amended motion to the Tribunal on January 27, 2017, that will be spoken to during the cross-examinations.
Cross-examinations end on February 8, 2017.
Related News
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‘You’re seeing how callous they are. Ottawa spent a fraction of promised money on First Nations health CBC, February 8, 2017
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‘Go kill yourself’. Social media messages encourage Indigenous youth to commit suicide CBC. February 3, 2017
Anonymous donor gives $380,000 to remote First Nation for suicide prevention The Globe and Mail, January 25, 2017
Anonymous donor pledges $380K for suicide prevention plan in Wapekeka First Nation after 2 girls die CBC, January 25, 2017
Private donor steps in to help Wapekeka First Nation after Health Canada refused Toronto Star, January 25, 2016
Anglican Church vows to help address youth suicide crisis in Wapekeka First Nation; says it helped create ‘legacy of brokenness’ Anglican Journal, January 24, 2017
NAN Statement: Wapekeka First Nation January 23, 2017
Apology from Anglican Church over legacy of Ralph Rowe is very important Toronto Star, January 23,2017
NAN Issues Calls Action on Suicide Crisis January 20, 2016
Ontario chief suggests class action lawsuit to stop Indigenous youth suicides CBC, January 20, 2017
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Anglican Church will issue apology to victims of former minister Toronto Star, January 20, 2017
News Release: First Nation leaders call for action on Wapekeka Suicide Crisis NAN, January 19, 2017
Warnings of ‘suicide pact’ went unheeded, says Grand Chief Macleans, January 19, 2017
Wapekeka First Nation feared suicide pact,says they were denied help Toronto Star, January 19, 2017
Trudeau meets with Ontario indigenous leaders in wake of girls’ suicides Toronto Star, January 19, 2017
Indigenous leaders press federal government on services in northern community Canadian Press, January 18, 2017
Wapekeka First Nations mental health strategy Wapekeka First Nation, July 18, 2016
Two youth suicides in Wapekeka prompt Grand Chief to call for emergency response CBC, January 11, 2017
Jordan’s Principle Spending January 11, 2017
