First Nations child welfare on the line in Federal Court

In 2010, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal dismissed a human rights complaint against the government from two First Nations organizations. Now, the tribunal's decision is coming before the Federal Court for judicial review.

Is the federal government discriminating against First Nations children on reserve by giving them less money for education, health and child-welfare services than their fellow Canadians?

At a Federal Court hearing that begins Monday, aboriginal advocates will argue yes. The government, for its part, contends it's not a fair question.

But, Cindy Blackstock, executive director for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, said, if the government succeeds with that argument, the case risks turning First Nations communities into zones where human rights protections afforded to Canadians simply don't apply.