Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on April 30th, 2019

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you to all of our witnesses. I really appreciate the considered commentary.

Mr. Smith, it's great to see you again. The first time we interacted was around the Arctic offshore drilling review in your community of Inuvik, way back in 2011, and I can appreciate from that experience that I had how independent-minded the Inuvialuit are and how important it would be for the Inuvialuit to have control over child welfare.

Could you speak a bit to the need for capacity to collect data and to do the work necessary on the ground to inform an Inuvialuit-driven approach to child welfare?

[Duane Smith]

That's an excellent question. We have begun. We do work with our regional education system to gather different data in relation to the students and how well they may or may not be doing so that we can try to focus the limited resources we have to help them improve where they need to.

But what you're touching on—and it relates to MP Waugh's question as well, I think—is that you don't have the capacity until you do the research, and you're looking at passing legislation. You can't have the capacity until you have something to work with. In our view, it's a catch-22. We need this piece of legislation for us to move forward as well and/or we don't have to because, as I said, under our final agreement, we both have an obligation to work together and if the system the federal government has put in place with the territorial government, which is an administrative arm of this federal government, isn't working, then we need to revisit that issue, at least within my area.

So yes, collecting the data, working with us on how to do that and on what we can do to start to improve the services and the well-being of the children are things we have been waiting for.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Would you agree then that the framework nature of this legislation creates an opportunity that allows us to change the channel, if you will, or to turn the page on the past approach and enable a more Inuvialuit-driven approach to child welfare?

[Duane Smith]

It finally recognizes, Canada recognizes, its obligations as well to be more adequately engaged in the proper development of this, and I do recognize this as a framework as well. I view this as something that, like any other piece of legislation, is not going to be perfect, but let's get something in place and let's work on improving it, because it's not going to be one-size-fits-all regardless.

Our region is going to have needs and views, etc., that are different from those of other jurisdictions, so yes, let's get to work, basically.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

That's very helpful. I think that's reflective of comments we've heard from the Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq. I'm not sure if I heard from the side of the Inuvialuit any specific thoughts around funding. This is an issue that has come up repeatedly, so I wanted to get your sense.

In the context of framework legislation, which is meant to open the door to a range of different approaches to child welfare in indigenous communities, with a focus on the indigenous children themselves and their families, their communities, etc., would you be seeking a more prescriptive approach to funding, which is outlined in the legislation or do you think it has to be tailor-made and dealt with outside of the legislation, pursuant to different indigenous communities or groups moving forward with whatever they want to do?

[Duane Smith]

That's part of what I just responded to as well. I think the legislation is clear and as vague as it could be to allow us to deal with those matters on a region-by-region basis. In terms of capacity, yes, there's going to be a need for investment with regard to infrastructure, because, as I said, right now it's a band-aid solution, under which if the government that's operating right now cannot find a foster parent, then the child is sent away and it's very unlikely that those kids ever come back until they're of age.

That's a problem we have with the system, so we would like to have infrastructure whereby we could operate on terms that we would come to an agreement on, such that the children would remain in the community or at the very least, within the region.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

Those are wise words. I think that's what we'd all like to see. I want to recognize that we all appreciate your patience and flexibility.

Paul, we've welcomed you.

Duane, thank you for joining this group.

Your comments will be part of the public record. We take them very seriously and really appreciate your co-operation and participation in the process. Meegwetch.

This session is done for now.