NANAIMO, BC, Aug. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - Working with Indigenous communities and partners to improve the well-being of children, and keeping families together remains one of the federal government's most important priorities.
Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced $4.2 million in funding to support the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Social Services Project on child and family services. The Province of British Columbia is also providing financial and other support to this initiative.
Federal funding will go towards community initiatives such as expanding current pregnancy support and parenting education programs, hiring family and protection support workers, and developing opportunities for youth engagement and cultural awareness.
In addition, Minister Philpott held an engagement roundtable with the Nuu-chah-nulth community leaders to discuss co-created options for potential Indigenous child and family services federal legislation.
Quotes
"The federal government is proud to support Huu-ay-aht First Nations in their work to bring home Huu-ay-aht children in care. It is so important for children to be supported by their community and grow up in their own cultural environment."
The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
"We are working with Indigenous partners in B.C., including Huu-ay-aht, to keep children connected to their families, cultures and traditions. We value the work Huu-ay-aht First Nations has done on this important issue, welcome today's news from the federal government providing more support to this initiative, and look forward to continuing to work positively with both partners through our established Tripartite Working Group."
The Honourable Katrine Conroy
British Columbia Minister of Children and Family Development
"British Columbia is committed to working alongside Huu-ay-aht First Nations to ensure Huu-ay-aht's families have the supports they need to keep their children safe and healthy, and connected to their community and culture. With our federal and Indigenous partners, we are working to improve outcomes for all Indigenous people so families stay together and stronger communities are created, now and into the future."
The Honourable Scott Fraser
British Columbia Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
"We thank the Federal Government for its major financial contribution to our Nation. Canada is putting action to its words. These funds will go a long way towards bringing our children home and fully implementing the recommendations from Huu-ay-aht's social services report. We look forward to continuing to work with Canada and British Columbia to bring an end to the public health emergency that Huu-ay-aht declared in March due to the removal of more than 40 children, or roughly 20 per cent of Huu-ay-aht children from their families."
Robert J. Dennis Sr.
Huu-ay-aht's Chief Councillor
Quick Facts
- Today's announcement is in support of Huu-ay-aht First Nations' Social Services Project and the 30 recommendations contained in their report titled "Safe, Healthy, and Connected – Bringing Huu-ay-aht Children Home."
- Four months ago, Huu-ay-aht First Nations declared the treatment of Huu-ay-aht children a public health emergency. Since the declaration, Huu-ay-aht Executive Council and staff have been working diligently to gain support from both the provincial and federal governments. Huu-ay-aht First Nations has committed more than $650,000 towards implementing recommendations specified in the report.
- Indigenous Services Canada is providing $839,800 per year for five years to Huu-ay-aht First Nations for community initiatives such as expanding current pregnancy support and parenting education programs, hiring family and protection support workers, and developing opportunities for youth engagement and cultural awareness.
- The Province of BC is providing $400,000 towards the implementation of the Social Panel report and is working with Huu-ay-aht First Nations to explore ongoing funding to support the Nation's efforts to keep their children out of government care and safe in their homes and communities.
- On July 31, 2018 there were 38 children connected to the Huu-ay-aht First Nations in government care.
- The Government of Canada's funding aligns with the provisions in Budget 2018, which provides $1.4 billion over six years to address funding pressures facing First Nations child and family service agencies, while also increasing prevention resources for communities so that children are safe and families can stay together. This includes supporting the government's commitment to continue to fully implement the orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and Jordan's Principle.
Related Products
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Social Services Project: Safe, Healthy and Connected, Bringing Huu-ay-aht Children Home
Associated Links
Federal Government commits to six points of action in working with Indigenous partners to address number of Indigenous children in care
Emergency Meeting on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation Child and Family Services
First Nations Child and Family Services
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada
media may contact: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160; Government Communications and Public Engagement, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Province of BC, 250-356-0233; Heather Thomson, Communications Coordinator, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, 250-723-0100
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