The Premier says work continues toward the long-promised inquiry into Innu children in care.

The commitment to hold such an inquiry into the relocation and treatment of Indigenous children was first made in 2017

Last week, the provincial government formally established the inquiry into search and rescue stemming from the death of Burton Winters in 2012.

But Premier Andrew Furey says the Innu children in care matter won’t proceed until the search and rescue inquiry is over.

He says the two inquires won’t happen at the same time but the government has had good progress in its talks with the Innu Nation, adding that lawyers and a framework for the inquiry have been secured.

The government also says funding for the Innu children in care inquiry was set aside in the most recent budget.

As of one year ago, there were about 165 Innu children in provincial care.