Historic Draft Final Agreement Reached for Long-term Reform of Child & Family Services

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) joined with Chiefs of Ontario, the Assembly of First Nations, and Indigenous Services Canada to announce a $47.8-billion draft Final Agreement on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.

“Our journey began eight years ago when we obtained standing at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and has reached a historic package of long-term reforms to the child welfare system. This is an agreement we believe is the best we can provide to our communities, and one that we can support and recommend to NAN leadership,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “Our Chiefs, the rightsholders, instructed us to approach these negotiations in a good way to reach the best possible agreement. I believe this has been achieved. Everyone involved in this lengthy process has contributed unique gifts that have led to this historic occasion. Miigwetch to you all.”

The announcement was made during the AFN's 45th Annual General Assembly in Montreal during a joint press conference with Chiefs of Ontario, the Assembly of First Nations, and Indigenous Services Canada.

“Since 2016, we have worked to address the unique discrimination faced by our remote communities. This draft agreement includes historic reforms on how funding will be adjusted to account for the high costs of delivering services,” said Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse. “What we have achieved is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This will represent the first time ever that a First Nations-sighted, evidence-based methodology for estimating the increased costs associated with remoteness has been applied to adjust funding for First Nations to account for those increased costs.”

In October 2023, the Federal Court of Canada approved more than $23 billion in compensation for First Nations children, youth, and families who have suffered from Canada’s discriminatory conduct in the provision of child welfare services and the application of Jordan’s Principle.

Since then, NAN has collaborated on a Final Settlement Agreement based on the Rightsholders Parties’ positions and priorities for long-term reform of the FNCFS program. Concerns addressed in these negotiations include reforms related to child protection services, prevention services, First Nation Representative Services, post-majority support services, capital, and housing.

NAN’s goal has been to refocus the First Nations Child and Family Services program on prevention and rebalancing agency accountabilities from Indigenous Services Canada toward First Nations.