A review of a child custody case involving an Aboriginal woman has prompted Saskatchewan’s children’s advocate to once again call for an overhaul of the child welfare system.
In a new report, Bob Pringle recommends First Nations and Métis groups be put in charge of Aboriginal child welfare cases.
Pringle’s report is in response to the case of a Prince Albert woman who ended up in a court battle with social services after the department applied for permanent custody of her children aged three and five.
The children’s advocate says despite the woman’s progress in turning her life around, the department refused to alter its decision to permanently remove the children. Pringle says the case illustrates a bigger problem.
He is recommending more cultural awareness training for social workers dealing with Aboriginal families. Pringle would also like assurances that social workers are following department policy.