AIAI CALLS FOR END OF SPY TACTICS ON ABORIGINAL CHILDREN’S ADVOCATE
For Immediate Release:
November 16, 2011
London, ON–The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) stands behind life-long advocate for aboriginal children, Cindy Blackstock. They further demand that the Federal government halt their current investigation of her.
As was originally reported on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and again today in the Toronto Star, the Federal government has spent considerable time and resources on following the actions and words of Ms Blackstock since she filed a human rights complaint against the Federal government in 2007. The complaint accused the government of willfully underfunding child welfare services to First Nations children on Reserves.
Since that complaint was filed, federal officials have attended approximately 90 meetings where Ms Blackstock has spoken and reported back to their superiors. In addition, they have assigned someone to monitor her facebook activities and have pulled her Status Indian file on more than one occasion.
“The Canadian public needs to know how the Federal government conducts itself when its accountability is called into question”, contends Grand Chief Denise Stonefish. In this particular case, the question of accountability is raised with regard to the treatment of First Nations people who are recognized and entrenched in the Canadian Constitution. It may be speculated that the Federal government would have even less scruples when the Canadian Constitution was not involved.
Grand Chief Stonefish agrees with Ms Blackstock that the use of financial resources used to track and monitor her would be much better utilized if it was allocated to benefit the children of First Nation communities. “We applaud the work Ms Blackstock is doing for our communities and urge her to continue with her efforts, despite the questionable behaviors of the Federal government. Our Children deserve to have these tough questions posed to ensure they have the same future opportunities as other Canadian Children.”
AIAI is mandated as a political territorial organization to defend and enhance the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of its eight member First Nations. Visit them online at www.aiai.on.ca, www.facebook.com/aiai.pto, www.youtube.com/user/AIAIAdmin.
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For more information, please contact: John Jones, Communications Coordinator - AIAI at 519-434-2761 or jjones@aiai.on.ca .
