Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – The First Nations Leadership Council is encouraged by the findings of the coroner’s inquest into the death of Savannah Hall. The coroner’s inquest found that Savannah Hall died of suffocation while in foster care, which the 5 member jury concluded as a homicide. The coroners’ jury also made 26 recommendations for change, 17 of which directly impact the Ministry of Children and Family Development and how the ministry operates.
“The provincial government must work swiftly and diligently to address the serious systematic gaps within the Ministry identified in the coroner’s report which continue to put our children at risk”, said Chief Judith Sayers of the First Nations Summit political executive. “For example, it is highly unacceptable for any family to have to wait six years for the truth regarding the circumstances of their loved one’s death to be revealed in a coroner’s report. The government must work in complete consultation with First Nations in every effort to ensure this does not happen again.” said Chief Judith Sayers of the First Nations Summit.
BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief A-in-chut indicated, “Our heart goes out to the family of Savannah Hall and all who loved her through a very trying period. Her tragic death underscores the need to continue to emphasize greater prevention efforts and support for families,” said BC Regional Chief A-in-chut (Shawn Atleo) of the Assembly of First Nations, “We need to increase support for birth and foster families so they have the resources to provide a stable environment. It is encouraging the Ministry has promised to implement all the jury’s recommendations, but we must remain ever vigilant to the needs of our aboriginal children and families to give them the safe loving environment they deserve.”