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The Assembly of First Nations confirmed Thursday it has secured a commitment from Canada to provide $47.8 billion over 10 years for long-term reforms to Indigenous child and family services.
AFN national president Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak made the announcement on the final day of the AFN’s annual convention in Montreal, two days after she told fellow presidents that a proposal had been made but she could not discuss it publicly.
“This funding will provide better support for Indigenous children and their families through fundamental reforms to the program,” Woodhouse-Nepinak said in a news release.
“We’re trying to change our broken system… We’re moving toward prevention rather than arrest.”
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu attended the news conference.
“We are trying to bring some peace to families, communities and Indigenous people who have suffered the most brutal policy of colonialism, which was to tear families apart,” she said.
The settlement is worth more than double what was originally promised in 2021. Details of the draft settlement remain scarce, but Woodhouse-Nepinak said chiefs and the community can expect to see a copy of the proposed settlement Thursday.
Ontario regional chief Abram Benedict, who was on the negotiating team, shed some light on the agreement, saying it puts “capital first.”
“There is also housing funding available,” he said.
“Without a safe home, it’s very difficult to ensure our families are together and our families are supported and safe.”
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, said an important aspect of the proposal is to adjust funding for remote First Nations.
“Today is a great day for our children,” he said.
This offer comes from 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling The inquiry found that Canada had intentionally and recklessly discriminated by not providing the same level of child and family services to Indigenous children and families on reserve and in the Yukon as it does elsewhere.
In 2019, the Tribunal Canada ordered to pay highest human rights fine ever The $40,000 award for each child and their family members was approved last year.
In addition to compensation, the two sides also reached an agreement in principle to Reforming Aboriginal child and family servicesIt was not immediately clear how this proposal would differ from the agreement in principle.
Throughout July, August and September, AFN will meet with First Nations leaders at regional engagement sessions to discuss details of the draft settlement agreement before voting on its ratification at a special meeting in September.
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