WINNIPEG, March 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in child welfare systems has reached crisis proportions and is causing significant harmful and enduring impacts on Indigenous children, families, communities, and nations.
Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced $ 1 million in funding to the Métis National Council to support their consultation efforts towards culturally appropriate child welfare reform.
Following the Emergency Meeting on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation Child and Family Services, where the Government of Canada committed to six points of action to address the number of Indigenous children in foster care, the Metis National Council is taking steps to explore solutions that will be community-directed, and focused on prevention.
This announcement is also consistent with the Canada-Métis Nation Accord, which outlines the way in which the Government of Canada and the Métis National Council can work together to set priorities and develop policy in areas of shared interest, with the goal of improving socio-economic conditions for citizens of the Métis Nation.
Budget 2018 renews the Government's commitment to building a new relationship together with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.
Quotes
"As a government, our goals are to reduce the number of Indigenous children who are in care, increase proactive support for children and their families, and support children to grow up with strong connections to their language and culture. Funding provided to the Métis Nation in Manitoba today speaks to our commitment in enabling culturally-appropriate reform, and we look forward to seeing the implementation of their consultation results."
The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
"The Métis Nation is heartened by the announcement today by Minister Philpott which will be of tremendous assistance for our Governing Members as we tackle the issue of the wellbeing of the Métis child. This builds upon the successful January emergency meeting called by Minister Philpott and the National Framework on the Wellbeing of the Métis Child adopted by our General Assembly in 2013."
Clément Chartier
President, Métis National Council
Quick Facts
- Census 2016 data indicate that Indigenous children aged 0 to 14 now make up 7.7% of all Canadian children. Children in foster care in private homes, Indigenous children make up over 52%. In Manitoba, Indigenous children makeup 90% of the children in care.
- The Canada-Métis Nation Accord establishes a renewed government-to-government relationship with the Métis Nation based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.
- Budget 2017 invested $84.9 million over five years, and $28.3 million per year ongoing towards governance capacity and to support the governing members of the Métis Nation to advance shared priorities and work toward self-government.
- Budget 2018 also proposes 500 million over 10 years for the delivery and control of affordable and social housing by the Métis Nation, and $ 10 million in 2018-19 to support Métis Nation post-secondary education.
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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
media may contact: Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-956-5372; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160
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