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
Canada's housing market sees largest improvement in affordability in four years: National Bank
Canada’s housing market saw the largest improvement in affordability in nearly four years in the first quarter of 2023, according to a report from economists at the National Bank of Canada.

Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function
One of the most notable happenings at Apple's event for developers on Monday is likely the iPhone maker's tweak that will keep its autocorrect feature from annoyingly correcting one of the most common expletives to 'ducking.'
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Here's what Quebec's wildfires look like from outer space
A photo taken from NASA show what the wildfires burning in Quebec look like from up above.
Facing evacuations due to a forest fire or flood? Here’s what to pack in a grab-and-go bag
While some natural disasters or bouts of extreme weather may require sheltering in place until authorities can restore power to the area, others require residents to evacuate quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours — and if you want to be prepared, you should create a grab-and-go bag.
Canada facing critical shortages of leukemia and thyroid cancer drugs
Canada is currently facing a critical shortage of drugs used to fight thyroid cancer and a form of leukemia.
Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms
More and more adults are taking over-the-counter melatonin to get to sleep, and some may be using it at dangerously high levels, a study has found.
Small-brained ancient human cousins may have buried their dead, according to a surprising study
An ancient human cousin may have buried its dead and carved symbols into cave walls, surprising findings for a creature with a small brain.