First Nations chiefs and representatives across Canada have rejected a resolution fully accepting a settlement agreement for long-term reform of First Nations child and family services.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting a special three-day conference in Calgary to ensure public support for the $47.8 billion deal reached with Canada in July.
After two days of hearing a variety of views on the proposed agreement, the chiefs issued a resolution entitled “Our Children, Our Future – A Proposed Agreement to Reform the Indigenous Child and Family Services Program.” We had a long discussion. It called for full support and approval of the final settlement agreement and for support of AFN in seeking an order confirming the full implementation of the order from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
When the resolution was rejected, the venue erupted in applause, with 267 mayors and their representatives voting against it. There were 147 votes in favor and one abstention.
Kelsilem, a spokesperson for British Columbia’s Squamish Nation, was among the many leaders who spoke out against the resolution.
“I am here to ask the Secretary and his representatives who are undecided and unsure to vote down this resolution. “It does not dispel the fact that the first line of the agreement seeks amended FSA approval,” Kersilem said of the final settlement agreement.
“We need to say no to this version of the FSA, because it has so many flaws. We’ve been hearing those voices over the last few days.”
Mayors faced competing resolutions to support the reform agreement or veto it until changes were made. Another resolution postponing the decision for 90 days was withdrawn, and elements were incorporated into other amended resolutions.
Voted after 2 days of discussion
The vote came after two days of chiefs hearing a variety of views on the proposed settlement agreement.
National Secretary Cindy Woodhouse-Nepinak told the chiefs in attendance: “This is an agreement to consider, and I will follow your direction.”
“But I’m saying let’s come together and find a common way to get through this, because it’s too expensive to wipe the table and leave it to the courts.”
The agreement seeks to reform more than 30 years of discriminatory child welfare policies in Canada that have led to more Indigenous children being placed in government care than at the height of the boarding school system. The purpose is
The proposal included a class action lawsuit and a finding that Canada intentionally and recklessly discriminated against reserve and Yukon First Nations children and their families by denying them equal access to children. It stems from a 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision. and family services will be provided elsewhere.
After two hours of discussion on amendments to the day’s agenda, the chiefs in attendance heard from class action plaintiff representatives about the impact of discrimination on child and family services.
“Today, you have a choice to make. By considering the stories of leading plaintiffs and our lived experiences, we hope to put an end to this problem,” said Melissa Walterson. , because each of us experiences a struggle every day.” , one of six representative plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit.
Another plaintiff, Ashley Buck, said she hopes Congress can reach an agreement this week.
“We reached a once-in-a-lifetime agreement despite the colonial system working against us,” Bach said.
“This agreement is a once-in-a-lifetime agreement. If we wait too long, we will lose the next generation. If we wait years for the perfect settlement agreement, they will no longer be children. You will no longer be like me, you will be a child. “
Parliament also heard from a panel of experts involved in child welfare. Richard Gray, director of social services for the Quebec First Nations and Labrador Health and Social Services Board, said Quebec First Nations do not support the settlement agreement for a number of reasons.
“I have heard leaders say that they are the ones caring for their communities on the front lines. But I think that going forward, chiefs must have a say in the final settlement agreement. But this version doesn’t have that,” Gray said.
“The signing parties will remain in place for the next 10 years. They are the guardians of this agreement, not you.”
Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the Indigenous Child and Family Care Association, spoke at the rally for the second time on Thursday and received a standing ovation after her speech. The Caring Association initiated a Human Rights Tribunal complaint with AFN in 2007, but the association did not sign a reform agreement.
“We want to acknowledge that there are some strengths in this agreement… but we also feel there are structural weaknesses,” she said.
“We’ve been working on this human rights case for 18 years. Are we going to agree to a nine-year deal and then just sit back?”
“No amount of compensation can make up for the damage caused, but this is the harm inflicted on communities and families,” Jennifer Coselli, a spokeswoman for Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, said in an emailed statement. “This is a step forward in addressing this issue.”
“We are now taking the next steps toward reforming the system to ensure this harm never happens again,” the statement said.
“Canada has and will continue to have a seat at the table. If approved, this agreement will be transformative and give Indigenous children a fair chance to succeed.”
Congress will continue debating the remaining resolutions Friday.
