The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says they have been asked to approve a compensation agreement for First Nations children and their families who experienced discrimination and under-funding in Canada’s child welfare system.
Last year after a lengthy legal battle with Cindy Blackstock and First Nation Child and Family Services, the federal government announced over $20 billion in compensation for around 300,000 individuals who were underfunded in the system.
However, this past fall, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal rejected this initial compensation agreement. On Monday, the federal government announced an additional $3.4 billion in a revised settlement.
First Nations across the country are now reviewing the final settlement agreement in Ottawa this week at the Chiefs meeting at the Assembly of First Nations.
In a statement released on Monday, the FSIN says they will be providing their approval to the revised compensation agreement.
“This compensation is hard fought and long overdue for those who suffered under an inequitable child welfare system,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in the statement. “We must make sure that the children growing up today never have to suffer the same way generations, upon generations of First Nations people have suffered growing up in a colonial environment.”
If approved by First Nations Chiefs, the AFN will take the Final Settlement Agreement through approvals at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the Federal Court of Canada to ensure the compensation is delivered in a timely manner.
(PHOTO – FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. File Photo)