SAWCC Calls on SK Government to Meet Indigenous Leaders Following Closure of Camp

SAWCC Calls On SK Government to Meet Indigenous
Leaders Following Closure of Camp

June 28, 2018 – (Saskatoon, SK)

Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corporation’s (SAWCC) is calling on the Saskatchewan Government to meet with Indigenous leaders following the closure of the Justice for our Stolen Children camp in Regina. On June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, the camp was resurrected and continues to grow with 7 teepees on the Saskatchewan Legislature grounds. SAWCC holds this camp as a high priority to raise awareness for the safety and security of Indigenous children. The 60’s scoop was an unconscionable harm placed on thousands of First Nation and Métis children in Saskatchewan and across the country.

SAWCC visited the camp with Commissioner Michele Audette and two other colleagues. The purpose was to show support and provide assistance in pressuring the Saskatchewan Government to meet with Indigenous leaders in a fair and respectful way. “The first step is to start the dialogue toward solutions for providing a caring, healthy and safe family life for all Indigenous children.” Said Judy Hughes, President of SAWCC. “We wish to raise the profile of the cause and to request in good faith, the Government of Saskatchewan cancel their attempt to get an injunction to have the Justice Camp torn down once again.”

A meeting is scheduled to take place July 2nd; however, there are questions if it will go ahead as a previous meeting of May 27 was cancelled. The government wants the camp removed for Canada Day because it will impede the celebrations. From the Justice Camp Wednesday evening, Judy Hughes added, “It’s amazing to see the support for Camp Justice for Our Stolen Children grow before my very eyes. People of all nations, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, including Saskatchewan Coalition against Racism stand together. We are all concerned about the Institutional racism and disregard that Indigenous children have faced and continue to face. In this time of reconciliation, an open dialogue is a positive step toward breaking down those barriers.”

The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corporation (SAWCC) is a voluntary not-for-profit organization that unites Aboriginal women in Saskatchewan by taking a leadership role in responding to and addressing issues of interest and concern to Aboriginal women, their families, communities and their environment.

For more details, contact:
Judy Hughes, SAWCC 306-621-9766
Robyn Pitawanakwat, Justice Camp Spokesperson 306-540-9180