FSIN calls for First Nations control of child welfare

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is calling for an independent advisory committee to oversee child welfare in the province.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says the provincial system is failing First Nations children.

Cameron saidthe committee, which would be made up of provincial and First Nations members,is a first step. First Nations control of child welfare is the ultimate goal, he said.

"There must be a positive change," Cameron said during a news conference at the FSIN offices in Saskatoon Tuesday morning.

Cameron and FSINvice-chief David Pratt said the expertise, the legislationand infrastructure are already in place. TheFSINhas had a Child Welfare Framework Act in place for years, and 16 First Nations child welfare agencies already operate across the province.

Tim Korol, a former high-ranking official in the provincial social services system,agreedwith them. He saidthe issue has been studied to death andit's now time to act.

"We have over 30 years of report after review after inquiry. We have, as a former child advocate put it, a foster care system mired in chronic crisis," Korol said.

First Nations leaders and others will meet tomorrow in Saskatoon to discuss the child welfare system.