As it happened: First Nations Chiefs-in-Assembly vote to reject the draft Final Settlement Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program

October 26, 2024 – News Roundup:

Oct 25 The Eastern Door | Kahnawake Community News: Back to child welfare negotiating table

Oct 25 The Eastern Door | Kahnawake Community News: Assembly vote draws line in sand

Oct 22 The Star: Opinion | I’ve negotiated settlements with First Nations. This is why chiefs rejected the feds’ deal last week

Oct 17 The Globe and Mail: AFN votes to reject $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal with Ottawa

October 21, 2024 – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Territory

First Nations Chiefs from across Canada gathered on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy from October 16-18, 2024 to consider a draft Final Settlement Agreement on long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.

The Chiefs ultimately decided to reject the draft agreement, and established parameters for renewed negotiations toward a revised agreement.

The Our Children Our Way Secretariat has assembled the following sources of information on the draft agreement and on the Chiefs deliberations:

• CBC Interview: Mary Teegee, Our Children Our Way – Chiefs Reject of AFN draft Final Settlement Agreement
• APTN Interview: ‘Great opportunity now to reset:’ says Cindy Blackstock after chiefs vote against AFN deal on child welfare
• Policy Options News Article: Dr. Cindy Blackstock and Nico Trocmé: Are Indigenous communities being set up to fail with the transfer of control of child welfare services?
• Squamish Nation News Release: Squamish Nation Statement on defeat of the Final Settlement Agreement
• Our Children Our Way News Release: Our Children Our Way Society Celebrates the Work of First Nations Chiefs

AFN Special Chiefs Assembly – Day 1 video clips:

• Caring Society President Raymond Shingoose & Board Member Mary Teegee
• Dr. Cindy Blackstock ED Caring Society & Phyllis Hudson CEO Oetjgoapeniag Elnoei Family Services Society
• Judy Wilson, Proxy for Chief Maureen Chapman, Skawahlook First Nation & Natalie Starlight Fraser, Siksika Youth & Social Worker
• Jessica Saunders & André Bear, Caring Society Board Members
• Sqwulutsultun William (Bill) Yoachim Bill, Proxy for Chief Michael Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation

And more…

• AFN Chiefs in Assembly Reject Draft Settlement Agreement
• OCOW Open Letter to AFN NC Woodhouse Nepinak, PM Trudeau, Min. ISC Hadju re Final Settlement Agreement & Sep 12 OCOW Resolution
• Webinar: “We Can Do Better” Webinar: Draft FSA – Speakers, Presentations, Resources, Q&A’s & Video
• BC Chiefs gathering: BC First Nation Chiefs Meeting on Draft Final Settlement Agreement

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For further comment, please contact: Mary Teegee – Maaxswxw Gibuu, Chair

Our Children Our Way Society, Phone: 250-612-8710