Manitoba judge rules federal, provincial governments breached First Nations child welfare rights

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:01]On the backdrop of what Chiefs are calling a landmark ruling, First Nations leadership gathered here on Long Plain First Nation to discuss a decision they say recognizes the lasting harm caused by decades of indigenous children being taken from their family, communities, and culture.

[00:00:18]Time and time again, courts rulings are in favor for our children. A Manitoba judge found that Canada and Manitoba breached First Nations inherent protected right to self-government and child welfare. The 385-page decision states that government actions contributed to the overrepresentation of First Nations children in care and the separation of children from their nations, language, and culture.

[00:00:46]Canada and Manitoba has been violating our constitutional rights.

[00:00:51]And our Aboriginal rights and our indigenous rights.

[00:00:54]And that's what he exposed and said that there's harm that was done to the community and there's a harm done to the children and families by taking away our children. It doesn't change anything for the children in the system today, but it will change things for children in the future growing up. It gives us a lot more ability to look after our children and our families in the way that we are supposed to be looked after.

[00:01:21]The ruling stems from a class action lawsuit led by several Manitoba First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. It's not about money, it is about doing what is right.

[00:01:33]It's about the children's lives and being able to allow First Nations to take care of their own.

[00:01:40]And to be able to bring them up in the good way that we the best way that we know how with our own cultures, with our own teachings.

[00:01:47]The decision gives both the federal and provincial government 30 days to decide whether to appeal, but leadership hopes this is a wake-up call to settle this outside the courthouse. My hope is that Manitoba and Canada do not appeal this and that they recognize that our children and families need that love and that support and to stop fighting our children in court.

[00:02:11]City News reached out to both the federal and provincial government for comment. We did not hear back by broadcast deadline. Mitchell Ringos, City News, Long Plain First Nation.