Six Nations Meeting with CAS Canceled

August 19, 2009 permalink

Six Nations clan mothers have recently mobilized over the CAS issue, urging families to get in touch with them at the newly established Haudenosaunee Child Services. A meeting arranged with Brantford children's aid this week was canceled by the Six Nations council.

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Public meeting on children cancelled

Posted By SUSAN GAMBLE, Posted August 19, 2009

A controversial public meeting between the Children's Aid Society and the Six Nations community has been cancelled.

The meeting was set to take place Wednesday night and had been advertised in the local papers and with community posters.

It grew out of frustration on the part of the Six Nations clan mothers who complained they were hearing about native children being removed from the community rather than being placed with willing extended family members.

A spokesperson for the clan mothers said they were notified of the cancelled meeting at the end of last week.

But Andy Koster, executive director of the Brant Children's Aid Society, said he was also notified of the cancellation.

"It was a Six Nations decision," said Koster in an email message.

"I know that we are still planning to meet with Six Nations council to clarify some erroneous statements that have been made publicly and to talk about the services that our staff at Native Services Branch provide for the community."

Koster said his agency is open to hearing advice from the chief and council.

"We can all deal in a positive and constructive manner with concerns or questions that individuals and groups on Six Nations may have for us."

According to a message from Chief Coun. Bill Montour, the elected council cancelled the meeting last week because the council wants to "hear from both sides before holding a community meeting."

The clan mothers have recently mobilized over the CAS issue, urging families to get in touch with them at the newly established Haudenosaunee Child Services.

Source: Brantford Expositor