Press Releases

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba — The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) acknowledges the decision made at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) regarding the Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) for the Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program. The AFN First Nations-in-Assembly’s vote to reject the FSA reflects a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to seek justice and long-term, sustainable solutions for First Nations children and families affected by discriminatory child welfare policies.

The AMC recommended a series of amendments to the FSA based on feedback and discussions from the AMC Chiefs-in-Assembly held on October 7, 2024. These amendments are critical in addressing key concerns of First Nations in Manitoba to ensure that all discriminatory conduct by ISC ends and cannot reoccur.

“Our position remains clear and is a clear direction to Canada: the concerns of Leadership and Nations in Manitoba must be addressed before any settlement agreement can move forward,” said AMC Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy, “The amendments we proposed were meant to ensure that any long-term reforms would truly reflect the needs of our children, families, and Nations. Without these changes, the FSA does not go far enough in addressing the harm caused by decades of discriminatory child welfare policies.”

The media has often framed the FSA as primarily about financial compensation, overlooking the critical issues of First Nations sovereignty and their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). The AMC Chiefs-in-Assembly highlighted Canada’s failure to consult with First Nations in Manitoba during the FSA negotiations process.

This lack of consultation during the negotiation process violated the principles of FPIC as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), a concern formally raised by the AMC in a letter to the AFN and Canada.

Another significant flaw of the agreement is its exclusion of off-reserve children, in Manitoba, approximately 60% of First Nations children in care live off-reserve. The FSA does not address the needs of this large and vulnerable group, leaving significant gaps in its ability to provide comprehensive solutions.

“Canada must address the concerns raised by First Nations leaders and incorporate the amendments put forward by the Chiefs-in-Assembly,” acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy said. “Canada needs to take a step back and listen to the concerns of Leadership who are representatives of rights-holders. The Chiefs have clearly stated that the FSA does not go far enough. Canada must revisit its negotiation mandate to address the concerns of the Chiefs and comply with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s order for long-term reform of the FNCFS Program. I applaud National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak and the AFN for their hard work in advancing the interests of First Nations in Manitoba. The rejection of the FSA is not a reflection of the AFN, but of Canada. It’s time for Canada to do better.”

The protection and well-being of First Nations children remains the AMC’s top priority, and the AMC will continue to push for a fair and just resolution that addresses the harms of the past and supports the healing and growth of future generations.

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For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com 

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe, Nehetho / Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.