The Innu Nation is reacting with grief and frustration to the recent death of a 15-year-old boy in a government-approved group home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Grand Chief Gregory Rich says the passing of the young man is not the first linked to Innu children in care, and they’re renewing their call for an inquiry.
Rich says the deaths of three other young people led to the Innu Nation’s call three years ago for an inquiry into the treatment of Innu in the province’s child protection system.
It has been three years since the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to us to hold an inquiry into the treatment of Innu youth in care. Later, the federal government committed to participate and provide financial support. Yet despite those commitments, the appointment of commissioners has not occurred. The inquiry is still left outstanding, leaving Innu families without answers.
In the meantime, Innu lives continue to be lost.
Excerpt from statement by the Innu Nation
Rich says the Innu are still waiting for that inquiry and their communities have a right to know whether other Innu children have died in care, attempted suicide while in care, or died by suicide following release from provincial institutions.
He says the lack of information on the teen’s death is just the “tip of the iceberg” and that is why an inquiry remains a priority for the Innu Nation.
The Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development is unable to comment on the matter as the information is protected under legislation.