Exploring Theme: "Indigenous Responses to Bill C-92"

AFN will be hosting a series of gatherings focused on First Nations child and family well-being: Jan. 19, 2021 – Introduction to an Act respecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, youth and family (the Act) Feb. 9, 2021 – Navigating Indigenous Child and Family Services legislation March 2, 2021 – Asserting Jurisdiction under an...

Quebec Government has launched a legal challenge in Quebec Court of Appeal to assess the constitutionality of Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Children, Youth and Families. The Quebec and Labrador Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Ghislain Picard, called Quebec’s move “shameful” and “unacceptable.” “Defending its so-called jurisdiction...

APTN News – The Quebec Government is challenging Bill C-92 by asking the Court of Appeal to assess the constitutionality of Bill C-92. “The government of Quebec intends to defend its powers and its autonomy under the constitutional framework and wishes to maintain the full application of Quebec laws – including the Youth Protection Act –...

Chiefs of Ontario Special Chiefs Assembly Resolution 07/ 19 reflects Ontario First Nations’ opposition to the Act. The Bill was integrated by the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly Resolution No. 31/2019 The Act does not affirm First Nations inherent rights over their children and families, rather it transforms our inherent rights into Canadian...

June 25, 2019 – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami welcomes the passing into law last week of Bill C-92, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families. The law includes core provisions for Inuit children, including doing whatever is possible to keep children with their families, ensuring all care provided is culturally appropriate, and...

Under Bill C-92, Indigenous peoples will be free to develop policies and laws based on their particular histories, cultures, and circumstances. Through the Act, national principles such as the best interests of the child, cultural continuity, and substantive equality have been established to help guide the provision of Indigenous child and family services. The Act...

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) – is disappointed to see this legislation passed without the inclusion of key amendments that would have responded to the unique circumstances and First Nation-specific rights of First Nations children. The MOU, signed in 2017, provided funding to the AMC to engage with First Nations in Manitoba to develop...

Bill C-92 was developed with direction from AFN Chiefs-in-Assembly and input by the AFN legislative working group which is comprised of technicians and experts from across the country drawing on years of advocacy and direction. “The goal with this legislation is to apply laws, policies and values to systems designed and implemented by First Nations...

Response to Tabling of Bill C-92 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs today, speaking directly to e urgency of passing federal legislation on First Nations child welfare in this session of Parliament. Proposed amendments submitted to the Committee included:...

Preliminary Briefing Sheet: Bill C-92 “An Act respecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, youth and families”. Important to this legislation, Canada has refused to adopt the ‘Spirit Bear Plan to end all inequalities in public services for First Nations children, youth and families’ and has no proposal of its own to end inequalities. This...

Inuit Tapariit Kanatami has worked with the Government of Canada, as well as AFN and MNC, to co-develop options for federal legislation to address the protection of Inuit children. Through engagement sessions and research, Inuit developed and submitted a series of priorities for child protection. They include: Doing whatever is possible to keep children with...

“This proposed legislation will provide a new chapter towards increased recognition that we, the Métis Nation, are best placed to nurture and to care for our children. This is an unprecedented initiative that will ensure the survival, dignity and well-being of our families, communities and nation for generations to come”. Clément Chartier, President, Métis National...