The head of the APN worried about the turn of the discussions on child protection

Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak raised concerns about the future of negotiations surrounding long-term reform of the community child welfare system in a letter to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, Cindy Blackstock.

The national leader has remained publicly silent since the federal government refused to reopen negotiations after state leadersAPN rejected in October a $47.8 billion agreement put on the table by Ottawa. She was content to describe the government’s decision as disappointing and unfortunate.

However, in a leaked letter dated January 14, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak sought answers from the Child and Family Caring Society, a mandate given to him by the chiefs ofAPN at the beginning of December.

I sincerely wish you success in obtaining a better agreement than that which was proposed in the draft settlement agreement.can we read in a copy of the letter, obtained by CBC Indigenous. Additionally, I would appreciate the Caring Society providing an update on its work towards obtaining a new and improved final agreement, in accordance with the mandates given by the Assembly of First Nations.

L’APN and the Caring Society are co-plaintiffs in an 18-year legal battle before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. In 2016, he ruled that Canada discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding child and family services on reserves.

Friday, Cindy Blacktock reacted to the letter saying it falsely suggested that it was now fully responsible for the process.

I think we all have obligations [dans cette négociations]. This is a path that was given by the leaders to put the process back on the right path.

We are doing our part and hope that theAPN will do the sameshe indicated.

In her letter, Ms. Woodhouse Nepinak indicated that l’APN remains very concerned by recent developments and questions whether the financial commitments made under the rejected deal are still guaranteed.

In light of these uncertainties, compounded by the current state of government and likely elections in the near term, I would certainly appreciate any clarity you can provide regarding efforts to end the discrimination faced by our children have been subjected for so long

In her response, Ms. Blackstock recalled that Canada is required to spend approximately $45 billion under existing Tribunal orders and could be held accountable in court if it violates them.

She was also diplomatic in her response to the letter. The Caring Society welcomes direct discussions and would prefer to avoid a back-channel style of communication.

Cindy Blackstock further indicated shared concern that Canada has chosen to negotiate with only one region of the country, and hope that Canada will change its mind on this.

Ontario groups continue to negotiate

Meanwhile, Ontario’s leaders’ groups reject theinterference of the Society of supported, they who seek to conclude a regional agreement based on the initial offer tabled by Ottawa during the summer.

Ontario chiefs and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) say they are disappointed that Ms. Blackstock filed a motion to the Tribunal this week seeking to force Canada to return to the negotiating table to agree on a national agreement.

The motion also requests an order requiring consultation with Canada,APN and the Ontario-Specific Reform Support Society. The Ontario groups, however, say they don’t need to consult anyone.

We will not let this matter derail our process and distract us from the work that needs to be done said Abram Benedict, Ontario Regional Chief, and Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the INin a press release published jointly.

The Caring Society has always opposed this agreement and we do not want this procedural interruption to disrupt our progress towards the signing of a regional agreement which it immediately judges to be “deeply flawed”they said in the press release.

For his part, Cindy Blackstock responded that the motion does not seek to give it a place at the Ontario negotiating table, but only to force Canada to have its conversations again nationally rather than with different organizations.

I think it’s just a misunderstandingshe commented about the press release from the leaders of Ontario and IN.

Meanwhile, the office of the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, Patty Hajdu, indicated that the federal government had done everything possible to reach a fair resolution outside of any litigation and that it was now content to work with those who wanted to collaborate with the government.

With reporting from CBC’s Brett Forester Indigenous