NationTalk: (Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario) – The Federal Court of Canada has recently issued an order appointing individuals to serve on the Settlement Implementation Committee – the governing body that will oversee the implementation of the Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) on Compensation.  The appointment of the Settlement Implementation Committee (the Committee) in November 2023, is the first step in creating the necessary apparatus to establish the compensation planned course of action. The Committee is now tasked with overseeing the creation of the trust fund, the appeals process and other aspects of the FSA.

The Federal Court of Canada has appointed Stuart Wuttke, Derek Nepinak, Duke Peltier, David Sterns and Robert Kugler to the Committee. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Executive Committee and Representative Plaintiffs in the class action approved its three appointments. 

“I am honoured to do this important work for our children and families. I have been an advocate for children and families my whole career. I was instrumental in creating the First Nations Family Advocates Office in Manitoba,” said Chief Derek Nepinak, Minegoziibe Anishinabe.”

“We are already undertaking this important work. We have been listening to First Nation leaders at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly. One decision we intend to pursue is to establish advisory services for the Committee, which encompass diverse persons, including Elders, youth, leadership, among others. I look forward to continuing this important advocacy for children and families.” said Duke Peltier, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

The FSA, which has been in negotiations for more than two years, includes more than $23 billion to compensate over 300,000 children and families. The FSA was approved by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal earlier this year and approved by the Federal Court of Canada on October 24, 2023.

“This is an important step forward in a long and painful process,” said AFN Interim National Chief Joanna Bernard. “Now that the legal fight has concluded and the settlement agreement is final, we can begin the important and overdue work of determining how compensation will reach these children and families. As one Party to the FSA, I also look forward to working with the Settlement Implementation Committee.”

The AFN also continues to negotiate long-term reform measures to ensure discriminatory practices are eliminated from the FNCFS system and application of Jordan’s principle.

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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. 

Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates

Contact information:

Kelly Reid
Senior Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations                                                                                                       
613-292-0857 (mobile)
kreid@afn.ca