The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the Province have signed a child well-being accord that recommits how the parties work together to support First Nations children and families.
The Rising to the Challenge Accord, co-developed by the FNLC and the Province, outlines a shared commitment to create a new approach to child and family well-being.
Signed today (Wednesday), the accord recognizes and upholds that First Nations have the inherent right to self-determination, including jurisdiction over First Nations children and families, and is a step on the pathway to reconciliation.
“The child welfare accord supports the urgent work underway to apply the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canadian law and address the ongoing impacts of colonialism,” said Regional Chief Terry Teegee, B.C. Assembly of First Nations.
“The FNLC and the Province of B.C. are united to prioritize self-determination and the inherent rights of First Nations. With this commitment, a collaborative framework will be implemented to ensure that children and families are healthy, safe and connected to essential resources well into the future.”
Building on the Reconciliation Charter of 2017 between Canada, British Columbia and the FNLC, which formalized the commitment to reduce the number of First Nations children in care, keep families together and support First Nations youth to successfully transition out of care, the new accord is a formal commitment for the parties to continue their work together to advance reconciliation.
Work undertaken under the accord may encompass changes to law, policy, fiscal models and approaches to data.
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