Lawsuit seeks compensation for First Nations child welfare, end to apprehensions – Winnipeg

Indigenous leaders are suing the federal and Manitoba governments over what they are saying are far-reaching and damaging results of the kid welfare system.

In a press release of declare, the Meeting of Manitoba Chiefs and different plaintiffs are in search of $1 billion in compensation and an finish to apprehensions they are saying are sometimes based mostly on poverty and racial bias.

The federal authorities reached an settlement in precept earlier this yr to compensate youngsters who had been taken from their households on reserve.

The brand new lawsuit is geared toward First Nations youngsters who had been seized off reserve within the Manitoba youngster welfare system.

One of many plaintiffs, Roberta Godin, says she had her youngsters and grandchildren taken away.

She says she was ultimately profitable in reuniting with them, however the separation precipitated nice hurt.

Roughly 80 per cent of youngsters in care in Manitoba are First Nations.

Indigenous leaders say that makes them extra prone to face poverty, homelessness, psychological well being points and involvement within the legal justice system.

“There’s a lot injury that has been performed that we can not undo,” Cora Morgan, the First Nations household advocate for the Meeting of Manitoba Chiefs, mentioned Thursday.

The assertion of declare comprises allegations that haven’t been confirmed in court docket. There was no speedy response from the federal and Manitoba governments.

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