Witness Reflections
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Reflections
Gillian McCloskey, OASW Associate Executive Director, attended the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearings on June 2-3, 2010 on the under-funding of child welfare services for First Nations children on reserves. Her experience as a “witness” to this process is captured in the form of an interview by Dr. Dan Andreae, Chair of the Association’s Government Relations Advisory Committee, on June 14th.
"I attended the hearings in the morning on both days. My overall perception is that Canada has no platform to stand on and there were contradictions. I noticed that Canada was just dragging out the topic. I'm left assuming that that Canada has no justification for trying to get out of its responsibilities. I want to say that when I first started the process of "being a witness", I only learned about one side of the story...the First Nations' children's side. After witnessing both days of the Tribunal hearings, I realize that there IS NO OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY."
"I was at the Tribunal because I am supporting Aboriginal children that the government is being unfair to. I feel, after being there that morning, that there might be a possibility that they might start being fair to the First Nations children. There were a lot of people at the hearing to support them, and I have faith in what the human rights lawyers are trying to do. If I get an opportunity to do this again, I will come out and offer support."
"I was at the Tribunal to witness something that's of relevance to the whole community, not just to me or them. A part of me was feeling angered that I had to hear the the lawyers for the AFN and the FNCFCS have to defend and champion their cause without even the guarantee of evidence being heard. The bureaucracy (Canada) has tried to approach this human tragedy with sterile indifference, as if it weren't a Human Rights case at all, but an obscure, legal proceeding that has no direct relationship to communities that are so afflicted."
"I went to the Tribunal Hearing because I realized that what is happening isn't right and its just more assimilation. By being there, it shows that I care and that young people care and take an interest. The government lawyer just talked around the issue. He just said so much stuff that was useless and not worth being said. I felt he was trying to somehow trick people into thinking the issue is just not theirs to worry about. Basically, I felt he was trying to get Canada out of something and that's just not right."
"Three hours of useless "blah, blah, blahing from the Canadian Federal Government lawyer. Watching their attempt at rewording the same phrase over and over again made me furious. It looked as though the Chair was a little uneasy as well. At least 100 people were there supporting the First Nations children. Why the government even thinks they have a case is beyond me. Canada needs to get serious about this and realize that discrimination will no longer go unnoticed and supported!"
"I attended the tribunal to support the First Nations children in the battle over welfare funding, or rather, underfunding. While I was present at the first of two days of the tribunal, I found myself becoming rather fatigued with the Canadian lawyer. He ahd a monotone voice through his argument, which led him to be heard and seen as disinterested with the case, and the children themselves. He made himself seem very "bored", as if he was simply doing his job and that's that! I had difficulty deciphering what exactly it was he was trying to get us seeing as he used many legal terms that not everyone in the room would fully understand. He presented himself and his arugement very poorly. It almost seemed to me like he might have been trying to evade respnsibility. To him, it may have been "just another case" but to some, including the Elizabeth Wyn Wood students, it was life; it was the beginning of what could be a break-through in society."
"On February 23rd, 2010, I was a witness to Cindy Blackstock's defence for First Nations children in the child welfare system in Canada. The whole experience was very moving. Listening to the lawyer representing Canada made me feel like he really didn't care at all. His questions went around the fact of who Cindy was and what she did. I felt like his cross-examination wasn't leading to anything productive. I really hope Cindy wins and the Tribunal is allowed to get on with its job. I hope the First Nations' kids get what they need and deserve. Cindy really knows her stuff and gets her point across strongly. One big thing that would help is the public's involvement to get the government to listen."
"After hours of Mr.Taylor interrogating Cindy with pointless questions that have little to do with the problems at hand, Cindy keeps her cool and answered all his questions calmly and thoroughly. She has nothing to hide. She knows far more than Mr. Taylor himself. I find it amusing. The government wants an excuse to have the Tribunal dismissed. Well they're not going to find one through Cindy. Cindy knows what shes talking about, and as I sit here and soak in her knowledge, I realize how wise she is. Now, why can't the government just do the right thing?
...Twenty more minutes have passed and there are more pointless questions, Cindy still answering them all perfectly while holding a baby eagle feather and tobacco given to her by us, students from Elizabeth Wyn Wood. Mr. Taylor, Canada's lawyer, has to come up with a good reason as to why the Tribunal should be dismissed and really there is no reason except for the fact that the government is scared, and does not want justice to be done. It's no wonder the government doesn't want this to be public. It is quite embarrassing and sad to think that our government is trying to get out of its responsibility to provide the same quality of services to First Nations children in the child welfare system as they do to non-Native children. I am a student and I am aware and I am going to make sure other youth are aware. Cindy is speaking for others who cannot speak and that is amazing. So I am going to speak for others who cannot be here today and make sure they're aware."
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