Canada, British Columbia and Wet'suwet'en make progress on child and family services

WET'SUWET'EN TERRITORY, WITSET, BC, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, British Columbia and the Wet'suwet'en are committed to working together to develop and implement a framework for exercising Wet'suwet'en jurisdiction over child and family services. It is a key step towards achieving the common goal of improving child and family services for the Wet'suwet'en Nation according to Wet'suwet'en traditions and culture.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, along with the Honourable Katrine Conroy, British Columbia Minister of Children and Family Development, and Wet'suwet'en Chiefs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding child and family services at a ceremony in Wet'suwet'en Nation's traditional territory.

The MOU provides a culturally appropriate approach to child and family wellness that supports the Nation's vision for self-determination and better health outcomes for Wet'suwet'en children and families.

Quotes

"Looking after our children has always been our business.  We've always had this authority, and now BC and Canada are starting to recognize it. What BC and Canada have done in the past hasn't worked. We have to do this ourselves."

Yagalahl
Wet'suwet'en Nation

"The vehicle that we had up until now was not functioning. Now we have a new engine -- which is recognition of our inherent authority and jurisdiction over our children -- new wheels -- which brings us to our future -- and now we are behind the steering wheel."

Chief Na'Moks
Wet'suwet'en Nation

"The health and well-being of Indigenous children and families is among Canada's most important priorities. It is clear that the current system isn't working. We are proud that the Wet'suwet'en Nation will once again exercise jurisdiction over their children which will better reflect the needs and aspirations of Wet'suwet'en communities."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"This MOU is an important milestone in recognizing the inherent rights Indigenous peoples have over their child and family services. Our Government is proud to support Wet'suwet'en Nation's vision for self-determination and improved health outcomes for their communities."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"By signing this MOU, we are taking an important step today with the Wet'suwet'en, a step that represents a commitment by all three parties to walk together towards supporting the Wet'suwet'en to care for their children and families in the Wet'suwet'en way. This new partnership solidifies the agreement we made with the Nation last year. I congratulate the Wet'suwet'en for their leadership in moving this important work forward."

The Honourable Katrine Conroy
Minister of Children and Family Development Province of British Columbia

Quick Facts

• The MOU is a tripartite agreement between the Wet'suwet'en, the Province of BC (represented by the Ministry of Children and Family Development), and Canada (represented by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada)

Associated Links

Office of the Wet'suwet'en

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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

media may contact: James Fitz-Morris, Director of Communications and Issues Management, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected]; Government Communications and Public Engagement, Ministry of Children and Family Development, 250-356-2007; Debbie Pierre, 250-847-3630, [email protected]

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http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/