The Nishnawbe Aski Nation says this is an agreement eight years in the making.
NAN joined with Chiefs of Ontario, the Assembly of First Nations, and Indigenous Services Canada to work on the $47.8-billion draft Final Agreement on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse says they have been working to address discrimination faced in their remote communities.
He adds the draft agreement includes historic reforms on funding will be adjusted to account for the high cost of delivering service.
“This will represent the first time ever that a First Nations-sighted, evidence-based methodology for estimating the increased costs associated with remoteness has been applied to adjust funding for First Nations to account for those increased costs.”
He suggests this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Grand Chief of NAN Alvin Fiddler applauds everyone who made this agreement possible.
“Our Chiefs, the rightsholders, instructed us to approach these negotiations in a good way to reach the best possible agreement. I believe this has been achieved. Everyone involved in this lengthy process has contributed unique gifts that have led to this historic occasion.”
The funding is on top of an October 2023 decision by the Federal Court of Canada to approve $23 billion in compensation for First Nations children, youth, and families who have suffered from Canada’s discriminatory conduct in the provision of child welfare services and the application of Jordan’s Principle.
