First Nations leaders tell inquiry Manitoba girl’s death due to ‘colonialism’

WINNIPEG – The death of a little Manitoba girl at the hands of her guardians was the result of centuries of colonialism in Canada.

That’s the argument put forward by lawyers representing First Nations leaders at an inquiry looking into the death of five-year-old Phoenix Sinclair.

Jay Funke (FUN’-kay) told Commissioner Ted Hughes that the child-welfare practice of seizing children is seen by many aboriginals as an extension of the residential school system.

He says the impact of colonial practices continues to be felt by native people and helps explain the disproportionate number of aboriginal children in care.

Hughes is examining how Phoenix slipped through the cracks of Manitoba child welfare and how her murder by her mother and the woman’s boyfriend went undiscovered for months.

His report is expected by December.