Month: March 2019

March 2019 SUMMARY:  The federal budget tabled on March 19 includes a commitment to forgive and reimburse First Nations loans accumulated through the negotiation of comprehensive claims. I advocated for this commitment along with First Nations as a move consistent with our rights, title and jurisdiction, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of […]

March 2019 Budget 2019 Investment Areas SUMMARY:  The federal budget was tabled in the House of Commons on March 19, 2019. Budget 2019 includes 24 measures for Indigenous peoples, totalling approximately $4.7 billion. More than $4.4 billion has been identified for First Nations. Investments over the last four budgets total more than $21 billion, which is […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the federal budget tabled today in Ottawa includes key sustained investments that continue to support success for First Nations children and First Nations governments. “This federal budget shows important and sustained investments to advance First Nations priorities as a result of sustained […]

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the report released today by the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth underscores the need to address long-standing failures in approaches by governments across a range of systems, including education, health and mental wellness, and victim support services, in regard to the […]

Federal Legislation on Indigenous Child Welfare – Bill C-92 SUMMARY: On February 28, 2019 Indigenous Services Canada Minister Seamus O’Regan introduced federal legislation on Indigenous child welfare (Bill C-92) that recognizes First Nations jurisdiction over child and family services. The proposed legislation was developed with input by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) legislative working […]