MONTRÉAL, July 11,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Assembly of First Nations,
Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski
Nation and Canada reached a
$47.8 billion Agreement on the
Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services
Program. The Agreement is subject to engagement with First Nations
and final approvals by the parties to the Agreement.
This First Nations-led and designed agreement is the product of
the cumulative efforts of the First Nations Parties and their
unwavering dedication and leadership over the past three years to
ensure the rights of their children and communities are respected
and upheld.
Building on the Agreement-in-Principle signed between
Canada and the Parties that
previously dedicated $20 billion over
five years in 2021, this Agreement will include $47.8 billion over 10 years, providing stable and
predictable funding over a longer period that fully supports a
reformed program and accounts for the increased costs of services
in remote communities.
Key reforms to the current Program's funding methodology will
put First Nations in the driver's seat in delivering child and
family services to their communities, with increased funding for
prevention, First Nations representative services, post-majority
support services that will support youth and young adults past the
age of majority, and capital. Program funding will adjust to the
needs of First Nations children and families today, and into the
future, through adjustments for population, inflation and
remoteness.
Over the next three months, First Nations-led engagements will
take place across the country to help communities better understand
how the Agreement will improve child and family services in their
community. We will be working closely with the First Nations
Parties during this process, and towards an approved final
agreement later this year.
Once the Agreement is approved by the Parties, Canada and the First Nations Parties would
file a motion with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to seek the
end of its oversight over the First Nations Child and Family
Services Program, with the goal of implementing a fully reformed
Program by April 1, 2025.
Quotes
"Looking back over the past seven months as National Chief,
there has not been a day that I have stopped working for our
children. For too many years, we have been fighting to fix a broken
child welfare system in the courts. And because of our unity in
this fight for justice, we reached a historic turning point today
with the largest compensation settlement in the history of this
country."
National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse
Nepinak
Assembly of First Nations
"Today, we stand at the brink of a transformative moment for our
children and families. The Agreement on the Long-Term Reform of the
First Nations Child and Family Services Program represents a
profound commitment to our future, rooted in our sovereignty. By
supporting the engagement process led by and for First Nations
Leadership, and communicating the benefits of the Agreement, we
ensure that the voices of our people guide the path forward,
fostering a system that respects our traditions and values."
Abram Benedict, Ontario Regional
Chief
Chiefs of Ontario
"Since 2016, we have worked to address the unique discrimination
faced by remote communities in Nishnawbe Aski territory. Our
Chiefs, as the rightsholders, instructed us to approach these
negotiations in a good way to reach the best possible agreement. I
believe this has been achieved. This draft agreement includes
historic reforms on how funding will be adjusted to account for the
high costs of delivering services in remote communities. What we
have achieved is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I congratulate
everyone involved in this lengthy process. Miigwetch to you
all."
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
"This is a pivotal moment for reconciliation in Canada. This reform would put First Nations in
the driver's seat delivering child and family services to their
communities, because they know better than anyone what they need.
It would mean First Nations children can grow up in their families,
with the services they need, and surrounded by love and their
culture. It would bring us closer to a Canada where every child has a fair chance to
succeed."
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services
Associated links
- Final settlement agreement on Compensation and
Agreement-in-Principle for long-term reform of First Nations Child
and Family Services and Jordan's
Principle
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada