Alberta First Nations leaders push for new adoption law
A group of First Nations in Alberta are pushing for legislation that would ensure First Nations children cannot be taken from their parent or guardians without their written and willing consent.
At a press conference on Friday, leaders of the Sovereign First Nations of Treaty No. 8 and supporters gathered at the Edmonton Inn to announce the Nehiyaw and Dene Nations of Treaty No. 8 Adoption and Private Guardianship Law. The new law effort would trump any and all government authority over First Nation children and would additionally require the consent of the First Nation the child is a member of or eligible to be a member of.
Treaty No. 8 First Nations of Alberta Grand Chief Arthur Noskey spoke to a room filled with supporters wearing shirts that read, “Our children are NOT for sale.” Noskey said the change law ensures the protection of First Nations
children and would allow them to know where they come from and learn about their Indigenous ties.
“Our families have been broken by colonial practices and legislation, but today we work towards healing the spirit of our children, youth and families. Creator has given us responsibility to care for our children,” Noskey said. “First Nations played such an important role in raising children and it is a responsibility we all share. Our children and youth should be loved and be nurtured in their own fires raised with their kinship connections and we cannot do this if provinces keep encouraging the adoption of private guardians of our children and youth.”
The press for change comes after concerns over the adoption of First Nations children were raised with Alberta Children’s Services, but the province has continued the practice.
“The Nehiyaw and Dene Nations of Treat No. 8 Adoption and Private Guardianship Law will be in effect until such a time that a Sovereign Nation enacts their own law pertaining to adoption and private guardianship, at which point that Sovereign Nation’s law will become paramount,” read the group’s document.
Ashli Barrett, press secretary to the minister of Children and Family Services, said in a statement to Postmedia News the ministry has already transferred authority over child intervention services to four First Nations in Alberta, three of them Treaty 8 nations.
“We fully understand and support the importance of ensuring Indigenous children and youth can stay connected to their families, communities, and culture,” Barrett said.