B.C. ministry bars Mtis toddler from attending cultural event in her honour

A foster mother fighting to adopt a Mtis toddler she's raised since birth is outraged that British Columbia has barred the girl from attending a cultural event in her honor.

The Vancouver Island woman, who can't be identified, says B.C.'s Children's Ministry won't allow the girl to attend a fundraiser hosted by the B.C. MtisFederation today.

She and her husband have launched a court petition to adopt the 2 1/2-year-oldgirl.

The ministry is fighting the adoption, because it plans to move the child to Ontario to live with her older siblings, whom she's never met.

The foster mother is Mtis, while the caregivers in Ontario are not, pitting the importance of indigenous culture against blood relatives.

The province saidtoday's potluck was advertised as an opportunity to meet the toddler, which violates legislation that protects the identity of children in government care.

The ministry retains legal guardianship of foster children, so it does have the power to prevent the toddler from attending the event.

The foster mother saidshe's taken great care to keep the girl's identity private, especially in the media.

She saidthe ministry's explanation appears to be an "excuse," and suggestedthe government is trying to avoid further publicity about the case.