(December 22, 2025 – Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak expressed support in principle for the plan submitted today by the National Children’s Chiefs Commission (NCCC) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS).
“Nothing is more important than our children,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “And we want the government to place the same priority on First Nations children as we do. Today is the latest step in a long, too long, drawn out process. It’s time to take real action on comprehensive reform to ensure justice, fairness, safety and security for First Nations children.”
On August 20, 2025, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued order 2025 CHRT 80, calling on the AFN and other parties to the CHRT proceedings on discrimination in the FNCFS – including the federal government – to consult with First Nations leadership and experts to develop and submit a national plan to inform the CHRT’s decision making on reform of FNCFS. The national plans are due today.
First Nations-in-Assembly mandated the National Children’s Chiefs Commission to lead consultation and negotiations towards a final agreement on First Nations Child and Family Service (FNCFS) reform. Alongside the national plan, the AFN submission supports a region-by-region approach to long-term reform. The AFN Executive is united in its support for the Ontario Final Agreement and calls on Canada to support the release of funding without further delay.
“Now that the plans are submitted, AFN will review them and assess next steps,” said the National Chief. “We hope there are strong commonalities that value our children because our preference is to work collaboratively with the government. But make no mistake – we will continue to fight for our children if we have to. I thank the National Children’s Chiefs Commission and the Caring Society for their work to develop a national plan under challenging timelines.”
-30-
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national political and 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
National Chief’s Office
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]