Letters of understanding give Aboriginal voice to change in child welfare system

Robert Doucette, president of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, said he was one of the luckier children when in foster care.

“Being a former ‘60s Scoop foster child and going through the process, I was one of the lucky ones.  A lot of my friends, First Nations, Métis, have gone through the foster child care system and they carry a lot of demons with them today,” he said.

Doucette is encouraged that Letters of Understanding signed by the provincial government with MNS, as well as with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations will be the beginning to the end of a system that does not understand Aboriginal children and does not provide enough support for them.

“It’s historic in the fact that a former foster child is actually signing an agreement to implement positive changes for the well-being of Metis foster children and families. That in itself is huge,” said Doucette. He added the agreement was also the first of its kind between Métis people and the government of Saskatchewan.

“These letters confirm that we will work together as partners to change the child welfare system for the long-term well-being of First Nations and Métis children and all other children - a commitment that I am proud to be a part of,” said Social Services Minister June Draude in a news release.

Doucette said that it was paramount that changes to the system were brought about both by the Métis and First Nations.

“It is important for our communities to work together, to put our best foot forward to ensure that our children are safe, are growing up in a happy, positive environment,” said Doucette.

The LOU was signed mid-August and a process has yet to be determined on how information will be gathered from Aboriginal communities, as well as former foster children and foster parents. No timelines have been established as of yet.

“The next steps will involve developing detailed plans with our partners, as the fundamental change we envision must be a shared responsibility,” said Draude.

“It takes a community to raise a child. Furthermore, with the willingness of this current provincial government we will forge a brighter future for our children and future generations,” said FSIN Vice-Chief Lyle Whitefish in a government news release.

 Among concerns that Doucette would like to see addressed include ensuring Métis children are raised in culturally-sound environments, which allow them to not only hold on to their Métis identity but allows them to have pride in their ancestry.

“We also need to ensure … that they receive the best possible services and care to ensure that they become healthy and productive citizens as they get older,” said Doucette. “When you have a healthy Métis community it also leads to a healthy Saskatchewan community because we’re all part of the same community so when one is suffering we all suffer.”

Draude noted that changes in the child welfare system would also be influenced by the Saskatchewan Child Welfare Review Panel’s report, which presented 12 recommendations to the government.

“We are taking those recommendations very seriously. They, along with these new partnerships, form the basis of our high-level plan to move forward and address key recommendations from the panel’s report,” said Draude.

Photo caption: Letters of Understanding were signed by the provincial government and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (clockwise from back left) Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations Ken Cheveldayoff, FSIN Vice Chief Lyle Whitefish, Minister of Health Don McMorris, MNS President Robert Doucette and Minister of Social Services June Draude.

Photo: Fiji Robinson, Communications Manager, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan)