The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations spoke of unity within the national organization as the organization’s annual December meeting kicked off in Ottawa.
“There’s so much work ahead, but by strengthening our relations — (being) united — we can do anything together,” Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said during her opening remarks.
But Woodhouse Nepinak said little to address the controversy surrounding her handling of the child welfare deal with Ottawa.
The $47.8B draft Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) on child welfare was voted down during October’s meeting in Calgary with many chiefs calling out the AFN for a lack of consultation with chiefs outside of Ontario.
The deal was negotiated between Ottawa, the AFN, Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, also cutting out the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society which was instrumental in bringing the issue of discrimination within the child welfare system to Ottawa’s attention.
Out of 414 chiefs who voted at the Calgary meeting, 267 said a new agreement must be reached.
Since the fall assembly, Woodhouse Nepinak said the AFN has reached out to the federal government to set up a new negotiating mandate and get back to the table.
“One question many of us have been receiving regularly since the assembly [in October] is what is happening on the child welfare file,” she told the assembly. “We have been encouraged that chiefs everywhere seized the opportunity and to occupy the space. If you have not already, now is the time to start talking about your own laws.
“Now is the time to demand accountability from a broken system that rewards apprehension over prevention.”
Woodhouse Nepinak said “the status quo is being questioned in the right way.”
Long term reform of the child and family services program is on the agenda Wednesday afternoon.
Also on the agenda for the opening day is an emergency resolution calling for a “National Inquiry into Systemic Racism in Policing and First Nations Peoples’ Deaths.”
Since Aug. 29, more than a dozen Indigenous people have died during interactions with law enforcement across the country. The deaths prompted an emergency debate in House of Commons on Sept. 16.
The national chief also touched on the need for economic reconciliation. Infrastructure and economic development are part of the afternoon agenda.
“The reality is we are a distinct people and every millionaire in this country has made their fortune on our lands,” she said.
The assembly is expected to hear from federal ppposition leaders Jagmeet Singh and Yves-Francois Blanchet Thursday morning. Federal cabinet ministers are also slated to speak, including Crown Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu.
Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal may also speak but has not been confirmed.
With files from the Canadian Press.
