Province, Saskatoon Tribal Council in court over child welfare dispute

There's big interest at the courthousetoday over the child welfare dispute between the provincial government and the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

More than 100 people were at the Queen's Bench courthouse in Regina Tuesday morning to observe proceedings.

The safety of our kids is impeccable and second to noneand it will continue to be that way.- Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas

"We have a sovereign right to look after our children and be responsible for our children," tribal council Chief Felix Thomas told reporters outside court.

Province, Saskatoon Tribal Council in court over child welfare dispute

8 years ago

Duration 0:37

Hundreds of people came to court in Regina to watch legal proceedings play out in a child welfare dispute between the province and Saskatoon Tribal Council.

The province has moved to strip the tribal council of its jurisdiction over child welfare in its seven member communities.

The Social Services Ministry saidthe issue is the tribal council's refusal to hand over child welfare files.

The tribal council, in turn, has filed for an interim injunction against the province.

"The kids are safe and we know where they are,"Chief Felix Thomas said outside the courtroom."I challenge the ministry to tell us where 67 of their kids, or more than 100 in Saskatoon that are roaming the streets, that are runaways in Saskatoon. Do they know where their kids are?"

Thomas said information can be shared, but the province must proceed in a respectful manner "without acting like a bully."

During the hearing, agovernment lawyer told the courtSaskatchewan needs documents in order to carry out its legal mandate, but as things stand right now it has no idea who the children in care are and what care they are getting.

"The safety of our kids is impeccable and second to noneand it will continue to be that way,"Chief Thomas said."Our chiefs have taken that responsibility.They've never abdicated that responsibility and they never will."

Everybody wants a negotiated resolution and there's no interest in permanently replacing the agency, the government lawyer said.

The two sides were expected tomakearguments before a judge throughout the day.

CBC's Adam Hunter tweeted the court proceedings: