Historic child welfare agreement signed with Splatsin First Nation

“They say if you don’t learn from history, then you’re doomed to repeat it, and that’s why this is so important. This signing gives Splatsin care of the children and will help us ensure the 60s Scoop, the Residential Schools doesn’t happen again,” stated Kukpi7 (Chief) Doug Thomas.

“[S]o much work brought us to this point but we all know that you have been caring for your children for time immemorial and over the last 40 years, in recognition to Kukpi7 [Wayne] Christian (former chief) for the work over the last 40 years that you have been doing to keep your children and your families connected to your culture, to your community, to the land, through your laws, all of that in spite of the legal framework federally and provincially,” Mitzi Dean, B.C.’s Minister of Children and Family Development said at the signing ceremony.

Hadju added this agreement prevents any future provincial or federal government interfering with or oppressing Indigenous People in the care and control of their own children, as seen in the past with the 60s Scoop and Residential Schools.

“Today is about instead making sure children can stay connected to family, to culture, to language. To be confident, as one Elder told me, capable people. To be the kinds of young people that can grow into the next generation of leaders,” Hajdu stated.

Dean said that this agreement falls in line with several Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, adding she hopes Splatsin can act like a beacon to other First Nations following in their footsteps.

Following a series of speeches from the aforementioned parties, current councillors, former Kukpi7 Wayne Christian, Elder George williams and others, the agreement was signed.

In addition to Thomas, Hadju and Dean signing the document, all other Tkwamipla7 (councillors) also signed their, with Tkwampla7 Theresa Thomas saying it was a historical document and they should all be part of the agreement.

The agreement is the first in B.C. but is the fifth to be signed in Canada.

“Splatsin has been involved for 40 years, as been mentioned earlier, so for us it’s very good to see Canada’s allowing the other communities to follow the lead of taking care of this very important responsibility of handling our kids in care, so I guess in that it’s a long time coming,” Thomas told members of the media following the signing.

Though the first in B.C., Splatsin is the fifth First Nation in all of Canada to sign an agreement of this nature.

“I think going forward we’ll be more engaged with other communities. From what I understand there’s communities that are a little bit ahead of us in regards to reviving our cultural traditions and our cultural ways,” stated Thomas, pointing to how his mother lost nearly all her sense of the language when taken into a Residential School, but was later to relearn and now is one of the few local Elders who has the ability to give prayers in her native tongue.

He added the main purpose of the schools was to “take the Indian out of the child,” and that reviving the traditions and languages restores a sense of pride and identity for the entire community.

Thomas stated they will look to how the other communities are implementing their own services through agreements while continuing to work on their own programs and services.

He also offered a bit of advice for other First Nations in B.C. looking to follow in their footsteps and come to agreements of their own.

“This is one of the programs you have to lead with your heart, you need your heart in it, it can’t be for your self-glorification, you can’t be doing it to be recognized. You have to really be engaged and you really have to understand the need, understand our culture our customs our language,” Thomas explained.

“It’s going to be my duty to pass on to the children in care and it’s going to be their duty to pass it on when it comes to the seven generation thinking.”

The agreement includes federal investment of $136.2-million over 10 years.

“I think the 10-year commitment is the part that stabilizes the ability of the community to plan and to do that ongoing leadership training and focus on community that Kukpi7 is talking about,” Hadju told reporters, adding it will ensure there is security and stability in establishing and maintaining programs and services.

“This 10-year agreement allows the community now to have the confidence financially that they can plan for the long term and I think it’s an important part of the coordination agreements.”

Hadju added that the provincial and federal governments will stay at arms length of any programing or services to ensure they are developed to meet the cultural needs of the Splatsin people.

The B.C. Government will maintain its current level of funding, and Dean said the province is working on a transparent fiscal framework to be implemented for future agreements with other B.C. First Nations.

Dean added provisions in the agreement state Splatsin could ask the province for help through a partnership if needed, but could also push the province aside and handle certain matters on their own.

by Liam Verster

Historic child welfare agreement signed with Splatsin First Nation

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