By Canadian Press

Chiefs vote for new negotiations on child welfare reforms, inclusion of N.W.T.

Dec 4, 2024 | 3:44 PM

OTTAWA — First Nations chiefs agreed today to launch new negotiations with Canada over child welfare after voting down a $47.8 billion deal in October.

Chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations voted to start talks anew as well as to include Northwest Territories in any new agreements at a special assembly in Ottawa.

The $47.8 billion was struck after decades of advocacy and litigation from First Nations and experts, seeking to redress decades of discrimination against First Nations children who were torn from their families and placed in foster care.

That was because the child welfare systems on reserves were not funded to provide services that could keep families together.

But chiefs said the negotiations on long-term reforms weren’t as transparent as they could have been, and worried the deal didn’t go far enough to protect children.

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The new mandate calls for regional agreements funded in a manner that safeguards First Nations children, youth and families from discrimination “now and forever,” and for Canada to consult with First Nations directly instead of through the Assembly of First Nations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press