F IRST N ATIONS L EADERSHIP C OUNCIL

November 2, 2015
Hon. Christy Clark
Premier of British Columbia
PO Box 9041
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC, V8W 9E1
Via facsimile: (250) 387-1715

507-100 Park Royal South

West Vancouver, BC
V7T 1A2
Ph: 604-922-7733
Fx: 604-922-7433

Hon. Stephanie Cadieux

Minister, Children and Family
Development
PO Box 9057
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC, V8V 1X4
Via facsimile: (250) 387-9722

OPEN LETTER: Further Action Needed by Province in Response to RCY

Report Paiges Story
Dear Premier Clark and Minister Cadieux,
We are writing with respect to the Government response from October 19, 2015,
to the Representative for Children and Youths report Paiges Story: Abuse,
Indifference, and a Young Life Discarded.
As you are aware, we fully support the findings of the Representative. We were
deeply saddened and angered upon learning the tragic story of Paiges short life,
including the staggeringly high number of foster homes she was placed in, the
chronic lack of adequate support from provincial workers, and her untimely death
a few weeks after she aged out of care.
Paiges story demonstrates that the system of care in BC is broken due to the
professional indifference fostered by the ingrained and institutionalized racism
that discounts the value of some childrens lives due to their ancestry.

1200-100 Park Royal South

West Vancouver, BC
V7T 1A2
Ph: 604-926-9903
Fx: 604-926-9923
Toll Free: 866-990-9939

500-342 Water Street

Vancouver, BC
V6B 1B6

We are encouraged that the Province accepted the recommendations that the
Representative for Children and Youth made in her report; however, we are
extremely concerned that there is a complete lack of Aboriginal lens in the action
plan, including the youth map. Going forward, we recommend the following
actions, undertaken with an explicit Aboriginal lens:

Support legislation to extend the age of children eligible for foster care to
24 - like other provinces.

Transition plans with youth 16 years and older who are at high risk of
becoming street entrenched. Transition plans must include all the service
providers identified as necessary to have the needs of the youth met.

Amendments to the Child, Family and Community Services Act to support

case reviews of fatalities of young people up to the age of 24 who aged
out of care at 19 years.

Properly resourced rapid response team with adequate staff for 24/7
access for high risk youth who live in or frequent the Downtown Eastside.

Ph: 604-684-0231
Fx: 604-684-5726

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Annual public reporting of the number of reported abuse, neglect and

maltreatment of Aboriginal girls and young women - by age, region, and
numbers.

Trauma informed, culturally informed treatment centres for high risk

aboriginal youth in addition to specialized residential services for
Aboriginal youth experiencing not only trauma but also confronted with
psychiatric and behavioural issues. Such services and programs will be
necessary in order to address the systemic issues that Aboriginal youth
may face, and provide support in moving forward.

Continued focus on safety and permanency with an emphasis on

kinship/extended family care that is reinforced with supports in housing,
therapeutic supports including for special needs, and with school
connectedness.

We continue urging you to review and address the larger systemic issues as well
as ensure that appropriate policy and practice directives are in place regarding
children in care, such as placement in hotels.
As you are aware, the RCMP has been asked to investigate if charges are to be
laid with respect to provincial workers breaching their responsibilities under the
Child, Family and Community Services Act in their treatment of Paige. We
expect that you will fully cooperate with any investigation, and ensure complete
transparency to the public about any findings.
We look forward to your response.
Yours truly,
FIRST NATIONS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
On behalf of the FIRST NATIONS SUMMIT:

Grand Chief Edward John

Robert Phillips

Cheryl Casimer

On behalf of the UNION OF BC INDIAN CHIEFS:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

Chief Bob Chamberlin

Kukpi7 Judy Wilson

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On behalf of the BC ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS:

Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson

CC:

Honourable John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth
Cindy Blackstock, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Directors Forum
First Nations Health Council

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