Woman Hopes Bands Take Note Of Human Rights Ruling

Woman Hopes Bands Take Note Of Human Rights Ruling

Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 13:22

A Metis woman who recently won a discrimination complaint she filed against a Saskatchewan First Nation hopes it will embolden other people in similar circumstances.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has ordered the Cumberland House Cree Nation to pay Valerie Deschambeault over $45,000 in compensation.

The tribunal ruled this week that Deschambeault was twice denied a position with the band because she wasn’t a band member, even though she was found to be the best candidate.

Deschambeault says the compensation wasn’t her main motivation — it was to send a message to band administrations.

Band officials haven’t been available for comment.