Sask. First Nation launches Bill C-92 consultations in Vancouver while demanding justice for Noelle O’Soup
A Saskatchewan First Nation is taking the first steps towards self-governing child and family services within its own community, while demanding justice for one of its young members who died while in the care of B.C.’s government.
The Key First Nation says it chose Vancouver as the place to launch consultations Tuesday over Bill C-92 —federal legislation that re-affirms the rights of Indigenous communities to establish and provide their own child-welfare services—in honour of Noelle O’Soup.
The body of 14-year-old O’Soup was discovered in a rooming house at Hastings Street and Heatley Avenue in May 2022, nearly a year after she went missing from a group home while under the care of B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development.
“The community remains outraged at the circumstances surrounding Noelle’s death and the inaction of MCFD, the B.C. Coroner’s Office, Coquitlam RCMP and VPD,” the Key First Nation wrote in a statement, which was issued ahead of a news conference in Vancouver at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Chief Clinton Key and Councillor Solomon Reece-Brass of the Key First Nation attended the event, and are among the community members who penned an open letter to Premier David Eby on Monday.
“We have grave concerns about your government’s inaction on Noelle’s disappearance and death and we call on you, your ministers, law enforcement and other agencies to take immediate action to bring meaningful closure,” reads the letter.
One of the major concerns the Key First Nation is hoping to bring attention to is gaps in Bill 38, which B.C. passed last November, affirming inherent Indigenous jurisdiction over child and family services provincially.
“Where the province has been short-sighted is they have no provisions or protocols to address the needs of nations like ours that are outside of British Columbia,” Reece-Brass told reporters Tuesday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.