First Nations child welfare services in N.B. to be studied

A former federal Indian Affairs minister and a provincial court judge will head a committee exploring the state of child welfare services in New Brunswick's First Nations communities.

Former Fredericton MP Andy Scott and provincial court Judge Graydon Nicholas were named Thursday as co-chairmen of the committee.

Nicholas, who is Maliseet, is the first aboriginal person to be appointed to the bench in New Brunswick.

"We picked people who have knowledge on different issues," said provincial ombudsman Bernard Richard, who also serves as the province's child and youth advocate.

"Obviously, Andy Scott, as a former federal minister would have a good, broad knowledge of federal-provincial relationships, federal-First Nations relations, a good idea of funding formulas as they exist federally and a bit of the more recent history."

The 11-person committee will hold public meetings and talking circles through the summer.

Their final report is expected to be delivered to government early next year.

The review was recommended in a child death review committee report released on March 26. The government said little about the child's death, but noted he or she was in the care of one of 11 child welfare agencies running in First Nations communities in the province.

At that time, Richard told reporters that the death was a suicide.

Child welfare services are delivered on reserves by band-run agencies. They are funded by the federal government and are required to meet provincial standards.