Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh Statement on Emergency Child Welfare Summit in Ottawa

Media Release

Last week Ogichidaa Kavanaugh travelled to Ottawa, ON to participate in the National Emergency Child Welfare summit called by the Federal government. During the summit, Minister Jane Philpott, Department of Indigenous Services announced a six-point plan to address the Indigenous child welfare crisis unfolding across Canada.

After attending the summit, Ogichidaa Kavanaugh stated, ‘The Minister’s intent to fully implement all orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is a step in the right direction. Our families, leaders and our child care agencies have all stressed the need to focus on prevention, family preservation, the need for traditional healing and mental health services to address the intergenerational trauma. I am guardedly optimistic that the necessary financial resources will be made available to address the crisis and I look forward to hearing the response by the Province.’

For the past 30 years the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 has worked to develop our own child care agencies which would honour and uphold traditional child care practices in our territory, despite facing significant funding challenges. While the work has not always been easy, it has united the leadership, Elders and Treaty#3 Women’s Executive Council to focus for the well being of our children and our youth. In 2005 our child care law was passed: Anishinaabe Abinoojii Inakonigiwin.

The next phase of Anishinaabe Abinoojii Inakonigiwin is the implementation across Treaty #3. Grand Council Treaty #3 Social Sustainability Chiefs would like to acknowledge the efforts of Wabaseemoong First Nation towards the development of their community Customary Care Code. Other Treaty #3 communities have initiated the Customary Community Code development and are making positive efforts to support the implementation of Anishinaabe Abinoojii Inakonigiwin. Grand Council Treaty #3 will continue to work with our Federal and Provincial government partners towards the full implementation of Anishinaabe Abinoojii Inakonigiwin across the territory.

 

For More Information
Gary Allen, Executive Director
807.548-4214