Saskatoon Tribal Council will comply with ruling on child welfare documents

The Saskatoon Tribal Council says it will comply withJustice Lian Schwann'scourt orderto providedocumentsbeing sought by the province.

• Court orders Saskatoon Tribal Council to stop interfering with Sask. government in child care dispute
• Province, Saskatoon Tribal Council in court over child welfare dispute

"Madam Justice Schwann accurately characterized the position we have taken and her decision demonstrates she has understood and acknowledged our cause as valid," said Felix Thomas, chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, in a writtenstatementafter the ruling.

"We have always been, and want nothing more, than to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the Province of Saskatchewan towards our shared responsibility for protecting the best interests of our children and families."

Thedispute relates to theprovince's attempt tostrip the tribal council of its jurisdiction over child welfare in its seven member communities.

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

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

Although the STC said itrespectfully accepted Schwann's decision in favour of the province,it called on the Social ServicesMinistry torescind their efforts to withdraw the STC's authority over child welfare.

"In the interim, in compliance with the court order, STC will make available for copy or notes the files as per the order," the STC said in its statement.

Thomas said that the province's initial position that it had sole power to delegate authority over child welfare on reserve was an affront to their inherent and Treaty rights.

"We have considered the Crown's attempt to subordinate our rights offensive and we are pleased that the Court has given merit to our interpretation," he added.

When contacted by the CBC, the provincial government said it would provide a response on the weekend.