The Assembly of First Nations confirmed Thursday it has secured a dedication from Canada for $47.8 billion in funding over 10 years for long-term reform of First Nations child and household companies.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak made the announcement on the ultimate day of the AFN’s annual common meeting in Montreal, two days after she informed chiefs in attendance there was an offer on the desk however that she couldn’t but talk about it publicly.
“The funding will lead to improved supports for First Nations children and their families through fundamental reforms to the program,” mentioned Woodhouse Nepinak mentioned at a information convention.
“We’re trying to change our broken system… We are moving towards prevention rather than apprehension.”
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu attended the information convention.
“It’s an attempt to bring some peace to families and to communities and to First Nations peoples who have experienced the tool of colonialism through what I would say is the most cruel policy, which is to separate families,” she mentioned.
The settlement offer is price greater than double what was initially promised in 2021. Details of the draft settlement offer are nonetheless sparse however Woodhouse Nepinak mentioned chiefs and communities can count on to see copies of the proposed settlement Thursday.
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, who was a part of the negotiating crew, shed some mild on its contents, saying the settlement brings “capital to the forefront.”
“There is also funding available for housing,” he mentioned.
“If you do not have a safe home to live in, it is difficult to ensure that our families remain together, our families are supported and are safe.”
Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, mentioned an vital side of the offer is adjusted funding for distant First Nations.
“Today’s a great day for our children,” he mentioned.
The offer stems from a 2016 ruling from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that discovered Canada engaged in wilful and reckless discrimination in opposition to First Nations kids and households on reserve and in Yukon by failing to supply them with the identical stage of child and household companies supplied elsewhere.
In 2019, the tribunal ordered Canada to pay the maximum human rights penalty of $40,000 per child and member of the family. That a part of the settlement — $23 billion in compensation — was accepted final yr.
In addition to compensation, there was an agreement-in-principle promising a further $20 billion to reform First Nations child and family services. It is unclear how this offer differs from the agreement-in-principle.
Throughout July, August and September, the AFN will meet with First Nations leaders at regional engagement classes to debate the small print of the draft settlement settlement earlier than placing it to a ratification vote at a particular meeting in September.
