SASKATOON -- The Saskatoon Tribal Council says the Saskatchewan government's move to take back responsibility for the care of children from the council is a tactic to undermine First Nations' authority.
Tribal Chief Felix Thomas says the council believes that jurisdiction and control over First Nations' children belongs with First Nations.
Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said Tuesday the council has refused the ministry access to files for children it serves on reserve, so the government has no idea how many children are being cared for or what kind of care they're receiving.
Harpauer said the safety of vulnerable children is the primary concern and the province is stepping in.
Thomas says the province is unhappy with the current accord on child and family services and is trying to force a new agreement in order to subjugate First Nations' authority.
He says the ministry knows that the tribal council operates under standards that were deemed equivalent to those of the province.
A letter to media from the Saskatoon Tribal Council says "in the 20 years in which STC has and continues to provide services to its children, not one child has died in STC care, as a counterpoint several hundred have died in the care of the ministry."
"This is not a record to which STC wishes to subject its children and it begs the question of which standards the ministry itself adheres to," states the letter.
