Exploring Theme: "Indigenous-led Initiatives"

Provincial endorsement paves way for national vote on proposed settlement, though concerns persist CBC Indigenous: Ontario chiefs voted Thursday to support and ratify a multibillion-dollar deal to reform the federal First Nations child and family services program. Sixty-two of 74 First Nations leaders present voted in favour of a resolution to back the proposed settlement which aims to...

“A lot of funders, they’ll put certain stipulations about evaluation in funding agreements that are pretty black and white. They’re numbers based and they don’t always capture the full story.” —Kirsty Choquette Kirsty Choquette is one of nine Mitacs award winners nationally. Windspeaker.com: Kirsty Choquette has received an award for developing a framework that gives...

APTN: Two First Nations in B.C. came together this week to sign a declaration recognizing their child welfare jurisdiction. To mark the occasion and follow their tradition, the Gitsegukla traded salmon with the Simpcw. There was also drumming and singing during their ceremony in Prince George, B.C. Gitsegukla Chief Anne Howard said the declaration was...

‘They don’t leave you, even when you’re at your worst,’ says mother applauding program in Manitoba CBC News: There was a moment in Cara Courchene’s life when reuniting with her children seemed out of reach. The child welfare system seems stacked against parents like her, but one Indigenous-led program has had remarkable success in trying to change that....

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) presented a joint brief to the Laurent Commission (Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection) aimed in particular at reaffirming the rights of First Nations to decide on the future and education...

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) renews its call for an independent inquiry into the death of Tina Fontaine. The investigation, report and recommendations are a start, but the content remains firmly based in a colonial approach as it pushes First Nations aside and advances an investigation from outside provincial jurisdiction, and does not attempt to reconcile working...

The winter session of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) voted Tuesday on three measures to improve conditions for Indigenous children: The FSIN prepare for a potential upcoming court case with the Saskatchewan government about the treatment of Indigenous children in foster care. The potential court case would come if the federal government does...

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Chiefs-in-Assembly endorsed the “Bringing Our Children Home Act”. “Today, we are reclaiming our collective sovereignty and jurisdiction for the care and protection of our children in every way in order to ensure we safeguard their well-being, provide them with a cultural shield according to our respective Anishinaabeg, Anishinininwak, Dakota Oyate,...

First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) while acknowledging “some promising components” in Bill 26 also have the following concerns: The amendments were prepared unilaterally and without consultation by BC The amendments are technical and operational and do not go far enough in addressing the principles of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Truth and Reconciliation...