NAN Chiefs Ratify Historic Child Welfare Agreement
TORONTO, ON: In a historic moment that will protect children and families for generations to come, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Chiefs-in-Assembly today ratified the landmark $47.8-billion Final Agreement on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program (FNCFSP).
“Today, our Chiefs have decided to reject the status quo and assert the authority of our First Nations to control the care and well-being of their children. This is a historic decision, and I congratulate them for their courage and leadership that they have demonstrated over the past eight years,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “Ratifying this Agreement is just the beginning of the work we need to do, not just in NAN, but across the country. This is not the end of a process, but the beginning. We acknowledge that there are many voices across Turtle Island that have vested interests in this Agreement, and we respect them. We urge the Assemblies of Chiefs-of-Ontario and the Assembly of First Nations, as well as the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, to support approval of the Final Agreement.”
NAN Chiefs ratified the Final Agreement by Resolution during a Special Chiefs Assembly in Toronto. The Resolution directs the Executive Council to sign the Final Agreement and seek its approval at Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT).
“When I was taken into the child welfare system I was removed from my community, my culture, my language, and my homelands,” shared Mishkeegogamang First Nation member Ashley Bach, a representative plaintiff in the class action lawsuit on Canada’s discrimination against First Nations children and families. “The decision made by Chiefs today will help prevent other young people from suffering through the same harmful, broken system that I was in, cut off from their communities, cultures, languages, and lands. We must break this cycle of trauma. We need action now.”
In October 2023, the Federal Court of Canada approved more than $23 billion in compensation for First Nations children, youth, and families who have suffered from Canada’s discriminatory conduct in the provision of child welfare services and the application of Jordan’s Principle. Since then, NAN has collaborated on a Final Agreement based on the Rightsholders Parties’ positions and priorities for long-term reform of the FNCFS program. Concerns addressed in these negotiations include reforms related to child protection services, prevention services, First Nation Representative Services, post-majority support services, capital, and housing.
“Our children, youth, families, and communities have faced discrimination and racism for generations. This Agreement challenges those abuses and provides an opportunity for our communities to restructure the delivery of services and care under their inherent jurisdiction,” said Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse. “Many NAN First Nations face unique circumstance due to remoteness, which have never been adequately addressed. This Agreement holds Indigenous Services Canada accountable to these communities by providing additional funding in consideration of remoteness. We acknowledge that this Agreement has limitations, but it provides a foundation for our communities to care for their children, youth, and families as they have always done. We are committed to continuing this work through a collaborative process to ensure that families can access the supports they need, and that children remain in their communities where they belong.”
The Final Agreement will be brought to the Chiefs of Ontario Special Chiefs Assembly for a vote tomorrow (Oct. 10) and to the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly for a vote next week (Oct. 16-18).
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca