Saddle Lake wants a child care without losing relationship

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SADDLE LAKE - Saddle Lake chose to access provincial resources, without jeopardizing their bi-lateral relationship with the federal government, after holding three days of discussion and brainstorming on establishing their own child care service February 18, 19 and 20.

The child care workshop heard from Elders, parents, former foster children and foster parents from the community and government officials with the provincial social services department.

The workshop was divided into large group and small group sessions to explore the possibilities of establishing a child care system that would be controlled and administered by Saddle Lake. Participants at the meeting agreed that the tribal justice system must maintain its jurisdiction and responsibility over all band matters.

Consensus was also reached on maintaining the trust responsibilities of the federal government over treaty Indians, and that the provincial government release funds received from the federal government on child welfare, to the Saddle Lake Tribal Council.

In his opening address, Chief Eugene Houle stated that Saddle Lake will hold the federal government to federal obligation and responsibilities arising from Treaty 6, which includes Saddle Lake. However, since the provincial government receives jurisdiction over social services under the Canada Assistance Plan, the band has to negotiate for a portion of federal equalization payments made to Alberta for social services.

Prior discussion between the tribal council and provincial social services led to

the research and development activity on child care services requirements of the band, explained Houle.

"Our own system, based on tribal customs,. is being hampered by outside institutions of a foreign system," declared Houle.

Houle reminded the community to uphold the treaty. "Treaties were made on

a nation-to-nation basis, our responsibility as a nation, do not end at the signing of the treaty. We have to exercise our responsibilities to our community and our children."

The workshop shows community involvement and is an indication of how other band programs are developing, said Houle.

Provincial policy is being changed to more effectively look at the Native status of the child, reported Baldwin Reichwein, special advisor on Native issues to Alberta Social Services.

In the past, social workers were not permitted to indicate the Native status of the child. However, "we found that too many Indian and Native children were coming to the attention of Child Welfare Services and are often placed with non-Native foster homes," said Reichwein.

There are 211 children from Saddle Lake who are at present in care of provincial child welfare, said Marianne Hunter, director of Saddle Lake Social Services.

Of all the children in provincial care, 20 to 40 per cent are Natives, according to Reichwein.

Reichwein emphasized provincial willingness to accommodate Native community control.

"There is an urgency within the department to work with Indian and Metis communities. We need to look at changing systems and different models of delivery, to move to a community-based control over services," said Reichwein.

He was supported by statements made by Don Flemming, regional director of social services, who said "you can't deal with social problems in isolation from economic problems. We'll work with you to move the service area to community-based operations."

"In claim jurisdiction over child care, Saddle Lake people are saying that problems and answers to these problems are in the community. We have the answers to resolving our problems, the question of obtaining resources in order to deliver community-based programs remains," said Robert Bretton, reporting for the Saddle Lake Tribal Justice system.

"The authority and control rests with the Indian people under tribal law and custom. The child care program must include child and family services, including the extended family and community roles in child cre," said Bretton.

"There is no reason in this world why our children should be raised by other people. It is our responsibility. We should not let the government agencies do our job

for us," said Marianne Hunter in a closing address to the workshop.

A temporary committee made up of community volunteers was formed to look

at ways and means to establish and implement a child welfare policy that reflects tribal customs and an administration system controlled by the community.

Houle, in an interview after the meeting, repeated that Saddle Lake is talking with provincial social services to work the practical aspects of community control of child care services, but that in the long run the band council will deal directly with the federal government on delivery of community services.