Brett Forester

Reporter

Brett Forester is a reporter with CBC Indigenous in Ottawa. He is a member of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in southern Ontario who previously worked as a journalist with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

Latest from Brett Forester

What one family's 'nightmare' says about the chaos at Jordan's Principle

For eight year-old Ethan Maracle, Jordan’s Principle is more than a program, his parents believe it’s his only shot at a true education. But with a massive backlog in the First Nations children's initiative and new restrictions rolling out, his family speaks out about an opportunity he may soon lose.

Children, families harmed by on-reserve child welfare system can now apply for compensation

First Nations people who were harmed by Canada’s underfunding of child welfare services on reserves and in Yukon can now apply for individual compensation payments, as the claims process officially opens on in a multibillion-dollar class-action settlement.

Ontario First Nations approve $8.5B regional deal on child and family services reform

First Nations chiefs in Ontario have overwhelmingly approved a carve-out agreement on child and family services reform, after the Assembly of First Nations rejected a $47.8-billion national offer last fall.

Canada won't meet with new commission on First Nations child welfare reform, chair says

Canada refuses to meet with a new First Nations commission established to renegotiate a landmark, but rejected, multibillion-dollar agreement on child and family services reform, according to chairperson Chief Pauline Frost.

RCMP caused 'serious interference' with press freedom in 2020 Wet'suwet'en raid, review body finds

The RCMP unreasonably blocked media access and arbitrarily detained a Gitxsan reporter five years ago in a raid on Wet’suwet’en-led blockades in northern British Columbia, the force’s review body says in a new report.

Algonquin community wins part of court challenge over nuclear waste dump near Ottawa River

An Algonquin First Nation in Quebec is declaring victory after a federal judge upheld part of its court challenge to a proposed radioactive waste dump to be built about a kilometre away from the Ottawa River.

New Métis National Council president admits it could see funding cut, eyes 'unfinished business'

The Métis National Council could see funding cuts as it grapples with the rapid withdrawal of two provincial members, the organization’s new president says. In a wide-ranging interview, Victoria Pruden lays out her vision for the embattled organization's future.

Survivors' Secretariat denied funding to continue search for missing children, unmarked graves

An organization leading efforts to investigate Canada’s oldest and longest-running Indian residential school, fear they’ve been denied federal funding as punishment for criticizing the Liberal government, putting their search for missing children and unmarked burials at the Mohawk Institute in jeopardy.

AFN regional chiefs accuse national chief of stoking division on child welfare reform

Six regional chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations say their leader is stoking division among the organization over the issue of child welfare reform, suggesting she may be too cozy with the Canadian government.

Indigenous Services routinely fails to spend millions approved for children's programs, document shows

Indigenous Services Canada fails to spend tens of millions of dollars approved for use on two high-demand children's programs — money which then "lapses," or expires, under federal accounting rules, official data show.