Grand Council Treaty #3 Welcomes the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision to Approve the Ontario Final Agreement that will reform First Nations Child and Family Services
Grand Council Treaty #3 welcomes the announcement of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) on its decision regarding the Approval Motion of the Ontario Final Agreement (OFA).
Today’s decision by the CHRT to approve the OFA is a key step towards the implementation of the long-term reform of childcare services in Ontario and is the culmination of decades of effort to achieve it.
Much work remains to be done, and the implementation of this reform will continue to take the efforts of all our communities, agencies, and political advocacy bodies. This announcement is a significant achievement along the path to meaningful and long-term reform that will protect children who cannot afford to wait in a broken system.
Grand Council Treaty #3 wishes to highlight the remarks by the tribunal on the central importance of First Nation authority and self-determination in regards to childcare. Over many decades, the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 has worked to assert this authority and self-determination through the development of Abinoojii Inakonigewin, the Nation’s child care law. It remains the hope of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 that providing communities with the funding required to achieve substantive equality in childcare, will create the space for each community in Treaty #3 to implement Abinoojii Inakonigewin and their own community customary codes.
“As Ogichidaa, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the countless people who have shown a tireless dedication to seeing today become a reality,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “People from across Treaty #3 and all across Ontario have dedicated enormous amounts of time and energy to bring their skills to a discussion of how best to reform the system of child care in Ontario so that all of our children can lead happy and fulfilling lives in our communities. I could not be more proud of everyone involved and hope we can all take time to reflect on what we have accomplished today.”
Grand Council Treaty #3 would like to extend its appreciation to the Treaty #3 Social Chiefs Committee and its Social Department for their attention to this critical file over many years. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the advocacy and coordination of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Chiefs of Ontario as parties to the agreement.
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For more information please contact: Daniel Morriseau, Political Advisor, Grand Council Treaty #3 at 1-877-880-5638 ext. 203 or email Daniel.Morriseau@treaty3.ca