ottawa –
The Assembly of First Nations executive team has announced new negotiations for a child welfare reform agreement after chiefs voted against the government’s proposed $47.8 billion agreement at a meeting in Calgary on Thursday. A meeting is scheduled to be held in the coming days to discuss how to proceed.
AFN National Director Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who helped negotiate the agreement and facilitated its approval, gave a frank assessment of the outcome in her closing remarks to Friday’s special meeting of mayors.
“We also recognize the success of the movement that rejected this resolution. You spoke with passion and persuaded the majority to vote against this $47.8 billion national agreement,” she said. .
“There is no getting around the fact that this agreement posed too great a threat to an industry that currently relies on separating Indigenous children from their families.”
Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Care Association, which helped launch the discrimination lawsuit against Canada that led to the agreement, said: “This is a sign that chiefs have reviewed the agreement with their own experts and lawyers. “This is an unfortunate feature of our existence.” Keep your staff informed and able to make decisions that are best for them. ”
“I respect the Secretary of State and look forward to working with her and all of you to ensure we cross the finish line,” Blackstock said.
The defeated agreement was signed in July between Canada, the premiers of Ontario, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Assembly of First Nations after nearly 20 years of legal battles over the federal government’s lack of funding for child welfare services. Ta.
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal said this was a discriminatory practice that meant children living on reserve were provided with fewer services than children living off reserve.
The court required Canada to reach agreements with First Nations to reform the system and compensate children who were separated from their families and placed in foster care.
The $47.8 billion agreement covers 10 years of funding for First Nations to manage their own child welfare services, establish grievance agencies and secure prevention funding from the federal government. there were.
Before the deal was announced in July, three members of AFN’s leadership team wrote to the national secretary, raising concerns that the deal was being negotiated in secret and asking for a change in policy. They also said AFN was trying to keep the Indigenous Children and Family Care Association out of negotiations.
These concerns largely remained when the deal was announced in closed session at the AFN’s last meeting, with chiefs questioning how the reforms would work on the ground and service providers questioning funding levels. He said that this would be significantly reduced and affect his company’s capabilities. I can do my job efficiently.
Mr. Blackstock received the support of 267 of the 414 chiefs who voted against the resolution to approve the agreement.
Squamish Nation Chairman Kersilem introduced a resolution Friday calling for new negotiating powers for chiefs.
“This is a lesson for the Assembly of First Nations, our staff, our legal staff, our advisors, and the portfolio holders who have worked on this transaction,” he said.
“The way we got here was not the way we should have done it. There are better ways to move forward.”
His resolution, and that of Judy Wilson, child welfare advocate and Acting Chief of the Skafrook First Nation, call for a coalition of leaders from all regions of the country to negotiate new agreements and provide oversight. There is a need for the creation of a children’s chief committee that will With a new legal team.
It also requires mayors to have at least 90 days to review the agreement before voting on it, and to make the document publicly available in both official languages.
Kersilem said the new negotiating mandate was developed with around 50 leaders from across the country and, after a very tough special meeting of mayors, ensured it was in the best interests of the children in their care. He said he hopes that the United States will provide a positive path forward. He also said the new duties would address “deficiencies” flagged by leaders across the country and ensure greater transparency.
“We did not need to find ourselves in a situation where we had to reject a flawed agreement and then develop a course to get it back on track,” he told leaders.
“The process used to create[the final settlement agreement]was a meaningful process that meaningfully respected and consulted Indigenous peoples and enabled meaningful dialogue to improve the agreement. We didn’t need to be here.”
A spokesperson for the Minister of Indigenous Services said in a statement that Canada is working closely with First Nations on this agreement and is also moving forward with amendments to the agreement.
“The agreement that Congressional leaders rejected yesterday is the culmination of intense negotiations,” Jennifer Koselli said.
“Canada remains resolute in its commitment to reforming Indigenous child and family services programs so that children grow up knowing who they are and where they belong.”
Blackstock said Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu or Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should have attended the Calgary rally if they supported the agreement.
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador said in a statement Friday that it appreciates the efforts to date, but needs chiefs to work together to amend the agreement to respect community diversity and eliminate systemic discrimination. He said there is.
“As chiefs, we have a sacred responsibility to protect our children and families for the next seven generations,” Interim Regional Chief Lance Haymond said.
Blackstock says even if the deal is defeated, it doesn’t mean starting from the bottom.
“We have a lot to build upon, including a final settlement agreement,” she said. “This is a reset to ensure that all Indigenous children succeed.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2024.