Peerless Trout First Nation, Alberta, Treaty 8 Territory - Indigenous Services Canada
First Nations children thrive when they can stay with their families, and communities, surrounded by their cultures. As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we will continue to work towards self-determination for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Today, at a ceremony at Kateri School in Trout Lake, Alberta, Chief Ivan Sawan, Chief Billy Joe Laboucan, and Chief Gilbert Okemow; the Honourable Marc Miller, Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Indigenous Services; and the Honourable Mickey Amery, Alberta's Minister of Children's Services, celebrated the signing of a historic coordination agreement pursuant to An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. This agreement enables the implementation and will bring life to Awaśak Wiyasiwêwin (Cree for Children's Law), and the exercise of child and family services control and jurisdiction by Loon River First Nation, Lubicon Lake Band and Peerless Trout First Nation, otherwise known as the Founding First Nations (FFNs), for their Members and future generations.
On November 20, 2021, members of each of the Founding First Nations voted overwhelmingly in favour of Awaśak Wiyasiwêwin, a collaboratively developed, community-driven law that reflects the histories, cultural practices, and unique aspirations of each community to determine the best ways to care for their children, youth, and families. The law creates the office of the Onikanew (Cree for leader) to oversee and delegate powers and authorities created under the new law; with a focus at all times on prevention to ensure that culturally appropriate, wrap-around, community-driven supports and services are available, including prenatal care for expectant mothers, so that children can stay with their families and their communities.
This coordination agreement sets out how all parties will work together, including roles and responsibilities, processes and coordination of services. This will ensure a smooth and effective transfer to the Founding First Nation jurisdiction, governed by Awaśak Wiyasiwêwin. The associated fiscal agreement establishes funding from the federal government to ensure that the necessary financial resources are in place. Over the next five years, the agreement will transfer $149.4 million from the federal government to the FFNs to support their law implementation.
This agreement is significant as it demonstrates that meaningful reconciliation can be achieved when First Nations and their Crown partners in both the federal and provincial governments work hand-in-hand together to help First Nations determine their own futures. Ultimately, it sets the stage for First Nations to build a brighter, more enriched and more hopeful tomorrow for their children, their most precious assets.
As more and more coordination agreements are signed, more Indigenous children will be able to grow up in their communities. They will be immersed in their cultures and surrounded by loved ones.
