Fight continues for foster child

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The battle of repatriation will take to the courts April 22.

The lawyer of Corrine Whitecalf, natural mother of five-year-old Whiteney, who was removed from a non-Native foster home and placed on a Saskatchewan Indian reserve, has asked to meet with the child and Social Services in court to settle the issue.

Whitecalf claims she agreed to give up her child with the understanding Whiteney would remain with the Peters family who have cared for her for five years and have applied to adopt her. She wants the child returned to the Peters.

While neither Whitecalf, nor the Peters, object to repatriation, they argue Social Services is mistreating foster families. And, since a March 29 demonstration by Whitecalf, the Peters and several supporters outside the Calgary Social Services offices, support has grown.

Other foster parents are speaking out against child welfare policies and the Calgary foster parents association (CFPA) has also drafted a letter in support of the Peters to be sent to Social Services head office.