Our Children Our Way Society Welcomes Unified Support for the Loving Justice Plan and Calls on Canada to Respect First Nations’ Decision
Vancouver, July 20, 2026 — The Our Children Our Way Society (OCOW) welcomes the unanimous decision of First Nations-in-Assembly to endorse the Loving Justice Plan as the foundation for long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services.
The Assembly’s decision builds on the strong leadership already demonstrated in British Columbia. Earlier this year, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit, and the Executive of the BC Assembly of First Nations each adopted resolutions endorsing the Loving Justice Plan as the preferred pathway for long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services. Those resolutions also call on Canada to provide resources to B.C. First Nations to develop B.C.-specific regional variations within the framework of the Loving Justice Plan.
“These resolutions demonstrate that First Nations are not rejecting regional diversity—they are rejecting the notion Canada’s approach to regional agreements should replace a national First Nations-led framework grounded in human rights,” said Mary Teegee, Chair of Our Children Our Way Society. “The Loving Justice Plan was intentionally designed to establish national minimum standards while creating space for regional priorities and distinctions.”
As secretariat to the National Children’s Chiefs Commission, OCOW supported the Commission’s engagement process, which included more than 100 submissions from First Nations leaders, child and family service agencies, youth, Elders, technical experts, and regional organizations from across Canada.
The resulting plan reflects First Nations mandates and input, decades of research, and the direction provided by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in numerous rulings ordering Canada to end its discrimination and reform First Nations Child and Family Services.
Throughout the Assembly, the Minister of Indigenous Services repeatedly stated that Canada respects the right of First Nations to choose between the Loving Justice Plan and Canada’s regional negotiation model.
“The Chiefs made it clear that this is not simply about choice—it is about rights,” said Teegee. “First Nations have exercised their inherent right to determine the future of services for their children, and they have made that decision collectively. They have chosen the Loving Justice Plan.”
“Respect is measured by actions, not words,” Teegee added. “If Canada truly respects First Nations decision-making, it should withdraw its competing plan and work alongside First Nations to implement the Loving Justice Plan. Where regional adaptations are needed, they should be developed collaboratively within that First Nations-led framework—not in competition with it.”
OCOW is calling on Canada to honour the clear direction provided by First Nations across the country by withdrawing Canada’s competing proposal and fully supporting the Loving Justice Plan as the pathway to ending discrimination against First Nations children and families.
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Media Contact:
Mary Teegee, Maaxswxw Gibuu, Chair, Our Children Our Way Society, Tel: 250-612-8710
Loving Justice Conference: Restoring Our Laws, Teachings and Ways of Life September 13–16, 2026 at the BMO Centre in Calgary, Alberta.