Child welfare workers on the Pauingassi First Nation in Manitoba never apologized for stripping three Native children and placing them in a police holding cell for alleged solvent abuse, a report released on Monday concluded.

In an annual report, the Children's Advocate of Manitoba said the Child and Family Services unit on the reserve was unequipped to deal with high rates of substance abuse and suicide. The workers lacked resources, training and funding, the report said.

No criminal charges were ever filed for the 2002 incident but the use of holding cells was discontinued. The families involved were never approached by the unit to explain what happened, the report said.

Get the Story:
Changes made to native CFS agency (CBC 12/1)

Get the Report:
Children's Advocate Annual Report (November 2004)

Relevant Links:
Children's Advocate of Manitoba - http://www.childrensadvocate.mb.ca