GOVERNMENT CONTINUES FIRST NATIONS PARTNERSHIP TO DEAL WITH SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN

Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger today responded to the Children's Advocate report on Oyate Safe House by announcing a new direction for Oyate that will continue a strong partnership with First Nations in the area of sexually exploited children and youth.

"The Children's Advocate has provided us with recommendations that we will use to guide our efforts in this area," Belanger said. "Over eighty per cent of sexually exploited children are of First Nations ancestry. We are working on a shared plan to address the recommendations of the Advocate and Provincial Auditor as we continue to find solutions for these vulnerable children."

"It is important for us to have a working partnership in order to protect the youth." Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Alphonse Bird said. "If we do nothing, we have failed the youth."

"The Children's Advocate and the Provincial Auditor have done their reports and now we need to move forward," Oyate Board Chair Chief Marie Anne DayWalker-Pelletier said. "These children are front and centre for us. We need to care for our sexually exploited children and youth. That is why we are here, for these children."

Oyate has not received youth since April of this year. After the Auditor's and Advocate's recommendations for service delivery have been addressed by both parties, the safe house will have a new direction and model for care. It will have a new role in the continuum of care provided to these youth, with a residential after care service that will work to re-integrate sexually exploited children and youth back into their families and communities once it is deemed safe for them.

"Once these youth have had their needs assessed and their situation stabilized, they will be provided a safe place to live," Belanger said. "They will receive programs and services that meet their needs and that are delivered in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner. We appreciate the advice of the Children's Advocate as we continue building on progress made with our First Nations partners. We all share a commitment to these children. Only together can we find the solutions they need and deserve."

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Lindy McIntyre Community Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-0916