National Children’s Chiefs Commission Responds to Ontario’s Draft Agreement on First Nations Child and Family Services Reform
Ottawa, ON – February 10, 2025 – The National Children’s Chiefs Commission commends the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) for their ongoing efforts to reform the child and family services system and to advocate for the rights and well-being of First Nations children and families. The release of a regional Ontario draft agreement on long-term reform is an important step toward addressing the longstanding challenges faced by First Nations communities.
This draft agreement, which is intended to resolve a 2007 Canadian Human Rights complaint filed by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, seeks to address the discrimination and inequities that have long plagued First Nations children and families in the child welfare system. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that Canada had been discriminating against First Nations children by imposing a flawed funding approach to the First Nations Child and Family Services program and failing to properly implement Jordan’s Principle. The Tribunal issued over 20 orders for Canada to cease its discriminatory practices and provide appropriate remedies to First Nations children and families.
Chief Pauline Frost, Chairperson of the NCCC, stated:
“We congratulate the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation for their leadership and tireless work toward reforming the child welfare system for First Nations children in the Ontario region. This draft agreement represents persistent effort in the ongoing fight for justice, but it is only one part of the larger effort to right the wrongs done to our children and families. The work now is to challenge Canada to address all excluded regions that are firmly committed to the well-being of their children. Canada must not lose sight of its obligations under the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s ruling to end its discrimination against First Nations children, no matter where they live across Turtle Island.”
The draft agreement comes after First Nations leaders identified serious shortcomings in a national level draft agreement reached by the AFN, COO, NAN and Canada in July 2024. In October 2024, First Nations-in-Assembly rejected that agreement, demanding instead an approach that would ensure reforms are holistic, evidence-informed, and grounded in the needs and cultural realities of First Nations communities. First Nations called for the creation of the National Children’s Chiefs Commission to guide renewed negotiations, ensuring that the interests and rights of children and families across all First Nations are upheld. The Commission also includes voices of non-AFN member Nations which was of critical importance for the First Nations-in-Assembly.
The Commission remains concerned, however, that Canada has yet to demonstrate a willingness to engage in discussions outside of Ontario. Despite being under legal orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to consult with the AFN and the Caring Society, Canada has refused to work collaboratively toward national reforms that would end its discrimination against First Nations children and families in all provinces and territories.
Chief Frost continued:
“Canada’s failure to engage with the National Children’s Chiefs Commission is deeply troubling. The Tribunal’s orders are clear: Canada must act to end the discrimination and ensure that all First Nations children and families across the country receive substantively equitable and culturally appropriate treatment and access to services. This is not just an Ontario issue—it is a national issue that requires the full commitment of the federal government to bring about true reconciliation and justice for all First Nations children.”
The National Children’s Chiefs Commission calls for evidence-based, needs-driven, and culturally-rooted remedies that recognize the sovereignty of First Nations and honor the fundamental rights of our children. The Commission is committed to advocating for reforms that reflect the diversity and unique needs of First Nations communities and ensure the lasting well-being and safety of First Nations children across Turtle Island.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
National Children’s Chiefs Commission Chair, Chief Pauline Frost (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation)
Phone: (867) 966-3261, ext. 240
Email: [email protected]