OTTAWAUNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON, Jan 7, 2025 /CNW/ – Canada cannot determine what is best for First Nations children, but it has an important role to play in righting injustices and supporting First Nations families. Today, the Chiefs of OntarioNishnawbe Aski Nation and Canada are pleased to announce that they will continue to work as partners towards transformative change on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program .
Les Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation supported and ratified the reforms set out in the Final Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, reached in July 2024.
Just like Canada, the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation continue to believe that the final agreement represents a historic and transformative change in the approach to its child and family services program and would allow First Nations to determine for themselves the best way of providing such services. Therefore, they will continue to work with Canada to reach an agreement within the existing provisions of the Final Agreement, including the funding provided in the agreement for the First Nations of theOntario.
These negotiations will ensure the long-term viability of key investments already made to keep children out of care, to allow First Nations flexibility in using their resources to help their children who are currently in care to stay connected to their family and community, and to help young adults transition to independence.
Citations
“Our priority remains reducing the number of First Nations children in the care of provincially mandated agencies. Our communities will exercise their right to self-determination regarding the impact of the First Nations Child and Family Services program on the communities of theOntario. It is absolutely necessary to ensure that the programs fall under the jurisdiction of the First Nations. Our mandate now is to ensure that the children and families of theOntario can flourish, benefit from cultural continuity and establish the conditions necessary for healing healthy communities. »
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict
Chiefs of Ontario
“Our leaders have given us a clear mandate to reject the status quo and assert their authority in controlling the care and well-being of their children. It is regrettable that we have not been able to agree on a national agreement, but we firmly believe that this new path is the best way to bring about meaningful changes to the delivery of child protection services in our nations in Ontario. We are committed to continuing this work in a collaborative process to ensure our families can access the supports they need and our children remain in their communities. »
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
“Today marks an important milestone as the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation move forward in partnership with Canada to improve the lives of First Nations families in theOntario. The future of all our communities depends on the health of families and children, and I am hopeful that we will reach an agreement that will allow all First Nations to enjoy this reality. »
L’honorable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
In brief
- Since the decision rendered in 2016 by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, Canada did everything possible to achieve a fair, equitable and comprehensive resolution without recourse to the courts, including by guaranteeing unprecedented levels of funding and increasing by five the overall budget of the program since 2015.
- Had it been approved by First Nations leaders and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the proposed final agreement would have legally obligated Canada to provide $47.8 billion in stable, predictable funding over a 10-year period. years to implement a fully reformed program that would reduce the number of First Nations children in care and maintain connections between children and their families, communities and cultures.
Related links
Chiefs of Ontario remain committed to ending the discrimination against children living on-reserve (en anglais seulement)
NAN Chiefs Ratify Historic Child Welfare Agreement
First Nations leaders vote on Final Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the Child and Family Services Program
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada
For further information, media may contact: Isak Vaillancourt, Communications Manager, Chiefs of Ontario, 416-819-8184, [email protected]; Michael Heintzman, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, 807-621-2790, [email protected]; Jennifer Kozelj, Press Secretary, Office of the Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, [email protected]; Media Relations: Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [email protected]
