(February 26, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released the following statement today after Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation ratified a Final Agreement on Long-Term Reform of First Nations Child and Family Services Program in Ontario at a separate Special Chiefs Assembly this week.
“Ontario’s Final First Nations Child Care Agreement will create sweeping positive changes for children and families across the Territory,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “We lift up Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and all Ontario Chiefs for their leadership to help end discrimination in Canada’s racist child welfare system. They have been good relatives to the next generations of First Nation children.”
“We also continue to remind Canada that it has not met its obligations under the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Orders,” continued National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “That order is to end discrimination for all First Nation children on-reserve and in Yukon, and we repeat our call for Canada to come back to the table to negotiate a new agreement with the National Children’s Chiefs Commission (NCCC), as mandated by the First Nations-in-Assembly. The AFN will continue supporting the NCCC and all regions as they pursue a long-term reform agreement nationally or regionally that ends discrimination once and for all. The AFN will also continue to take all measures, including litigation, if necessary, to advance these needed long-term reforms.”
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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:
Genna Benson
Director of Communications
Assembly of First Nations
(604) 340-3117 (mobile)
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Kelly Reid
Senior Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
(613) 292-0857 (mobile)
[email protected]