NationTalk: (Treaty No. 7 Territory, Calgary, AB.) The Chiefs of Ontario will continue to fight for on-reserve children facing systemic discrimination through First Nations Child and Family Service Program. Chiefs and Proxies from across Canada voted against a resolution supporting the $47.8 billion Final Agreement aimed at reforming the discriminatory program funding at this week’s historic Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly. 147 were in favour, 267 were opposed, and 1 abstained. The vote on the agreement came after a nearly two-decade battle to end discrimination against on-reserve children involved with the child welfare system and those who were removed from their families and Nations.
“As we’ve been saying throughout this entire process, it was ultimately up to Leadership to accept or reject this agreement. They’ve made their voices heard today. While we’re disappointed in today’s outcome, we will continue to fight for the children on reserve who are not getting fair and adequate care,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “We’re going to take a breath and consider our options of how we’ll move forward. The Chiefs of Ontario has a mandate to stop the discrimination against on-reserve children and we will fulfill it.”
Both the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation passed resolutions last week supporting the Final Agreement during regional Special Chiefs Assemblies.
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Chief Joe Miskokomon, who seconded the resolution supporting the agreement, urged national unity and solidarity among First Nations across Turtle Island. “We’ve heard about the hurts; we’ve heard about going forward. But what happens if we don’t go forward today? What happens is we’re stuck in the status quo. The resources will not get to our communities; the poverty will not magically go away. The addictions will continue to happen. The abuses will continue to happen. And the children will be the ones to bear the scars,” said Chief Miskokomon during his speech introducing the resolution.
The funding term for the Final Agreement was for a total of 10 years that was going to start on April 1, 2024, ending in March 2034. The funding approach after the 10-year term would have been evaluated by an independent program assessment of the effectiveness of the program. Orders handed down from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal state that Canada must provide non-discriminatory funding for services to First Nations children on-reserve.
“Our children are our future, and we will not give up on them,” said Regional Chief Benedict. “We will work with Ontario Leadership, our legal counsel and experts in the field to determine the best path forward, and we expect this to spur an invigorating discussion at our November Fall Chiefs Assembly in Thunder Bay.”
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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario
Media Contact:
Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org