Saskatchewan's Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says it is standing united with the Saskatoon Tribal Council in its jurisdictional fight with the province over child and family service matters.
Earlier this week, Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said the council had refused the ministry access to its files, leaving the government with no idea how many children are being cared for or what kind of care they're receiving.
She said the province was taking back responsibility for the care of children from the council.
She also suggested the next move to gain access to the files would be to go to court.
The council countered that the children in its care are safe and any suggestion it was being lax in its responsibilities was offensive.
On Friday, FSIN vice-chief Bob Merasty said the Social Services Ministry has no jurisdiction regarding on-reserve matters, especially when it comes to First Nation children.
"The Saskatoon Tribal Council has been very open about their efforts to resolve the matter but the Ministry has not been responsive," he said in a news release, adding that it is in the best interests of children to remain in the community "where they will receive the best supports."
Harpauer then responded with a release of her own maintaining the province does have the legal authority and responsibility for the delivery of child welfare both on and off reserves, even in situations where First Nations have been delegated to provide service.
"This decision is not about changing children's placements," said the minister. "It's about ensuring that we know who the children are, where they are, what type of placement they're in, and that's it appropriate and safe."
First Nations agencies are required to monitor and track children in care on reserve and report back to the Ministry of Social Services. The province has what are called delegation agreements with First Nations agencies.
But the Saskatoon council hasn't signed a new agreement and isn't submitting monthly reports.
Harpauer said there has not been consistent reporting since 2008 and years of trying to negotiate a new deal between the province and the tribal council have reached an impasse.
Federal funding also expired in March.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.