Blame for boy's suicide shared

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Poor management by Native politicians, the Manitoba government and social workers created a network of ineptitude that led to the suicide of a Native youth in foster care, a judge said.

In a harsh report, Manitoba provincial court judge Brian Geisbrecht spread the blame thick and wide for the 1988 death of a 13-year-old boy on the Sandy Bay reserve.

"What is clear to me is (the boy) had the right to expect more," Geisbrecht wrote after an inquiry into the death that at times appeared more like an inquiry into political interference in child welfare cases handled by the Dakota-Ojibway Family Services.

"His family let him down; his community let him down; his leaders let him down; then the very agency that was mandated to protect him let him down and the government chose not to notice."

Geisbrecht faulted the province for letting poorly trained Native agencies handle difficult child welfare cases. He called Native leaders "foolish and naive" to seek such independence.

The Dakota care agency that cannot stand up to interference cannot do its job

and is not entitled to a mandate. An Indian leadership that cannot discipline itself is not worthy of governing."

Native women's organizations have been demanding a full-scale inquiry into Native child care since the Sandy Bay case came to light. They say political organization of community services puts too much power in the hands of chiefs and councils, who can cover up abuse cases when it is politically beneficial.

Geisbrecht recommended the province introduce legislation to prevent political interference in child welfare cases. Harold Gilleshammer, Manitoba's family services minister, said he will set up a committee to study the problem.