Family and child services on reserves are severely underfunded. Here's what you can do about it.
Why It Matters
Social services on First Nations reserves are โseverely underfundedโ by the federal government, says First Nations human rights activist Cindy Blackstock, which puts Canada behind on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The problem requires Canadians to pay attention, and to advocate for a more just, inclusive future. This is the first story in our partnership with the Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI) in the upcoming Together|Ensemble conference.
For over 30 years, Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan First Nation, has worked in child welfare and Indigenous childrenโs rights. A long-time activist, Blackstock is noted for her work alongside First Nations colleagues on a landmark human rights challenge to Canadaโs inequitable provision of child and family services.ย
They proved the government failed to uphold Jordanโs Principle, which mandates the government pay for services needed by children and seek reimbursement later. This prevents children from being denied or receiving delayed access to services such as healthcare while the provincial and federal governments have pay disputes.
Blackstock is the executive director of the First Nat
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