Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki Ashton said during question period in the House of Commons Feb. 25 that the death of a seven-year-old child in a house fire on Garden Hill First Nation is a symptom of the federal government treating First Nations like second-class citizens.
“Indigenous people are standing up across this country demanding respect and justice,” Ashton said. “Their message: enough is enough. The reality on First Nations is getting worse. This week a seven-year-old boy died in a house fire in Garden Hill, a community with Third World housing, no running water, no all-weather road, in a region of 13,000 people without a hospital. When is this government going to recognize that systemic racism and underfunding is killing people?”
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller extended his condolences to the family of the child who died and said his department is working with the community.
“My department has been in contact with the First Nation’s leadership to identify and deliver support to ensure the well-being of the community,” Miller said. “We understand the stressful nature of the situation and will continue to work with First Nation partners on timely snd appropriate supports."
Miller also said that it is the Liberal government’s policy to seek equality for First Nations and other Canadians.
“We are striving to close that socioeconomic gap that has existed for far too long with historic investments in infrastructure and housing,” Miller said. “We strive to get there, and let me say this, Mr. Speaker, we will get there.”
The child died in a Feb. 21 fire that started around 3 a.m. Three adults and three other children in the home escaped safely but flames and smoke prevented the residents from going back in to search for the unaccounted-for child, whose body was found in the remains of the house later that day.
