(March 10, 2026 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – One year after the first Claims Period opened for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement, more than 136,000 Claims have been submitted and $654 million paid to eligible Claimants.
“The Compensation delivered over the past year represents meaningful progress and important recognition for many First Nations children and families harmed by Canada’s discrimination,” said Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “These payments are an important step towards justice and accountability. We encourage Family Class Members to submit their Claim when they are ready to ensure they meet the Claims deadline.”
The first Claims Period, which opened on March 10, 2025, applies to the Removed Child Class, representing First Nations children who were removed from their homes between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, while they (or their Caregiving Parent or Caregiving Grandparent) lived on reserve or in the Yukon and placed into care funded by Indigenous Services Canada. It also applies to the Removed Child Family Class, who are Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents of Removed Children.
Claimants who were over the Age of Majority when the Claims Period opened have until March 10, 2028, to submit a Claim. Once a Claimant reaches the Age of Majority, they have three years from that day to submit a Claim.
“We’ve seen a strong response from Class Members so far, and we need to keep that momentum going,” says Stuart Wuttke, Chair of the Settlement Implementation Committee and associate at Class Counsel firm, Nahwegahbow Corbiere Genoodmagejig/Barristers & Solicitors. “We encourage people to share this Settlement with their family, friends and networks so that everyone who is entitled to Compensation from this Settlement is able to submit their Claim.”
Class Members are encouraged to submit their Claims as soon as they are ready. Claims Helpers are available for free to help people complete their Claims. To date, Claims Helpers have had more than 17,826 support interactions with Claimants and delivered 1,256 presentations and workshops across Canada. Regional Liaisons have had 436 meetings with 13,618 participants.
Pursuant to the Settlement, the AFN established a Compensation Information Desk that provides information to individuals about the Settlement. To date, the Compensation Information Desk has supported over 15,000 individuals in accessing Compensation information and related supports, including Claims Helpers and application forms. The Information Desk can be reached at 1-888-718-6496 or [email protected].
“While progress has been made, some people are still waiting,” added National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “This journey is not complete, and we need to continue to make progress to open the next Classes.”
The Settlement Implementation Committee is actively developing the remaining Claims Processes for the Classes that relate to having experienced a delay, denial or gap in receiving an essential service and the Kith Classes. Each Class requires a distinct Claims Process that must be approved by the Federal Court. The timeline for opening the next Claims Period is not yet known. Claimants are encouraged to sign up to receive email updates.
More information is available on the Settlement website. Class Members can contact the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, excluding statutory holidays. When calling for help with filling out a Claim Form, select your language and then press 2 to speak with a Claims Helper.
Mental health and wellness support is available 24 hours a day through the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or on its website www.HopeForWellness.com. Counselling is available in English, French, Cree and Ojibway upon request. Children and youth can also contact Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting FIRSTNATIONS to 686868.
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
For more information, please contact:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]