(Ottawa, ON) – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) are pleased to announce a revised Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) on compensation valued at over $23 Billion for the approximately 300,000 First Nations children, youth and families who experienced discrimination due to Canada’s flawed approaches to First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) and Jordan’s Principle.
“We’ve held our children, youth, and families in our hearts and in our prayers throughout negotiations towards the revised FSA,” said AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse. “The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has been clear there was more work to do to satisfy its orders to ensure Canada provided proper compensation and other remedies for the racial discrimination imposed on First Nations by Canada. Through the collective efforts of the AFN and Caring Society at the negotiating table, we have secured an additional $3 billion for compensation. I firmly believe we have reached the best possible agreement to compensate our children and families harmed by Canada’s discrimination.”
Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the Caring Society, stated “this compensation recognizes the serious harms First Nations, children, youth, and families suffered including unnecessary family separations and the denial of life saving and life wellness services. To truly honour them and the Residential School and 60’s scoop survivors we must ensure this is the last generation of First Nations children who are hurt by the Government of Canada. That work continues and they are our inspiration to get it right.”
“The First Nations-in-Assembly gave us clear direction last year that they want to be involved in this process. We are honouring that direction, and I look forward to bringing the revised Final Settlement Agreement to Chiefs at this week’s Special Chiefs Assembly for their approval,” said Regional Chief Woodhouse. “Once First Nations leadership approves, we will take the Final Settlement Agreement through approvals at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the Federal Court of Canada to ensure that our children and families receive the compensation they deserve, as soon as possible.”
Together, AFN and Caring Society lift up the victims and survivors of Canada’s discrimination for the courage and perseverance they have demonstrated throughout this process, in particular the Representative Plaintiffs who have stood up on behalf of all eligible class members to pursue long-overdue recognition. The AFN and Caring Society also acknowledge those who have passed on to the Spirit World, including Jordan River Anderson, founder of Jordan’s Principle before receiving the justice they deserve.
For more information please contact:
Kelly Reid
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857 (mobile)
[email protected]
The AFN will continue to provide updates at fnchildcompensation.ca as they become available. The AFN has also established an Information Desk which can be reached at 1-888-718-6496 or [email protected].
We acknowledge that this process may bring up strong emotional responses; support from the Hope for Wellness Helpline is available now at 1-855-242-3310.