AMC Disappointed on the Passing of Bill C-92
June 24, 2019
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, MB _ Bill C-92, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families has received Royal Assent by the Government of Canada. In solidarity with the Chiefs of Ontario, 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.
AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas stated: “Despite Canada’s commitment to support First Nation-specific child welfare legislation in Manitoba, through an MOU negotiated in good faith with the AMC First Nations, the federal government now denies the force of the MOU.”
The MOU, signed in 2017, provided funding to the AMC to engage with First Nations in Manitoba to develop their own legislation in relation to First Nations children in care that was specific to the rights, interests and circumstances of First Nations children in Manitoba. AMC First Nations, led by the AMC Women’s Council and the AMC First Nations Family Advocate Office, developed the Bringing Our Children Home Act. AMC First Nations were shocked to hear of the Assembly of First Nations support for pan-Indigenous federal legislation that did not provide guaranteed funding or sufficient protections for our children from apprehensions and abuse in foster care.