Carolyn Buffalo addressing the chiefs in assembly in Calgary on Thursday. Photo: Leanne Sanders/APTN.
The Assembly of First Nations’ special chiefs assembly in Calgary heard emotional stories from victims of discrimination by the child welfare system and Jordan’s Principle at the 2nd day of the Assembly of First Nations’ special chiefs assembly in Calgary.
The representative plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against Canada are urging First Nations chiefs to accept a landmark $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal – a deal chiefs will vote on later on Thursday.
Some chiefs say there hasn’t been enough discussion about it – Marilyn Buffalo disagreed.
“We’ve had lots of time. We’ve been at this process since 2007. We’re not asking anyone to rush into anything,” said Buffalo, a representative plaintiff in the class-action for Jordan’s Principle families. Buffalo is a mother from Montana First Nation in Maskwacis, Alta., who has special needs.
Jordan’s Principle is a program that is supposed to provide the same services to on-reserve children as off-reserve.
“Scuttle this deal if you want. Go ahead. I’m up here upset because I think that’s what’s going to happen. Then what?” she said.
The FSA, or Final Settlement Agreement was signed in July between Canada, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Assembly of First Nations after a nearly two-decade legal fight over the federal government’s discriminatory underfunding of on-reserve child welfare services.
Read More:
Amended Final Settlement Agreement
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal tasked Canada with negotiating an agreement with First Nations to reform the system, along with compensating children who were torn from their families and put in foster care.
Some nations have voiced their concerns about how various aspects of the deal will work.
Buffalo, speaking through tears, said she thinks chiefs will vote down the deal meaning First Nations children will be left without protection and money if it’s rejected.
“I’m not a supporter of the Liberal government. Do I trust the AFN? No. Do I trust the Liberal government? No. But, I am a supporter of this legal process,” Buffalo said.
“That’s why we agreed to join and be part of it. If I thought for one second that this was going to be harmful to our people, I wouldn’t be part of this.”
The chiefs are expected to vote on the draft agreement at some point today.
The day’s agenda was delayed due to a prolonged debate in the morning about adding an expert panel discussion. Former AFN national chief Chief Phil Fontaine and the First Nation’s Child and Family Caring Society executive director Cindy Blackstock are expected to address the assembly before the end of the day.
With files from the Canadian Press
