Saskatchewan

Justice For Our Stolen Children camp disappointed in province's lack of action after meeting

Camp spokesperson Robyn Pitawanakwat says there is a big difference between what the government is saying and what they're doing.

Protestors say government staying with 'status quo' instead of making changes

Protesters camped in Wascana Park across from the Saskatchewan Legislature are calling for a second meeting with the provincial government. (CBC News)

Members of the Justice For Our Stolen Children camp have expressed disappointment in the lack of government action since their July 2 meeting. 

Camp spokesperson Robyn Pitawanakwat says there is a big difference between what the province says it's doing and what it's actually doing. 

According to Pitawanakwat, the government has said they do "a lot of in-home support, wraparound care and prevention." Pitawanakwat said that has not been her experience, nor has it been the experience of many families who have come to the camp for support. 

"We do want to know the demographics of who they do that in-home support for. Is it Indigenous families that are getting that in-home support or is it other families?" she said. 

Pitawanakwat also said the group would like to more information on some other claims made by the government such as keeping files up to date and home checks every six months for foster parents. 

"The things that they say they're doing, we are not seeing on the ground."

File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council Chief Edmund Bellegarde — who has been communicating with the province on behalf of the protesters — and Pheasant Rump First Nation Chief Ira McArthur also spoke to reporters at the camp on Tuesday.

When asked what the camp has said to the government in response, Bellegarde said they haven't spoken yet. 

"Those discussions will take place in the coming days," he said.

On Monday, Pitawanakwat expressed disappointment at the government's decision not to move on the changes pitched by the protesters, which ranged from Social Services' using in-home supervision instead of apprehending children, to holding an inquiry into the death of Haven Dubois and subsequent police practices. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie Taylor

Reporter, CBC Saskatchewan

Stephanie Taylor is a reporter based in Saskatchewan. Before joining CBC News in Regina, she covered municipal politics in her hometown of Winnipeg and in Halifax. Reach her at [email protected]