On July 26th, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal approved a new compensation deal for victims of Canada’s First Nations child-welfare system. The Tribunal had previously found that the government discriminated against First Nations children and youth by underfunding on-reserve child and family services and by failing to pay essential healthcare costs.
The $23 billion package is the long-awaited culmination of a 16-year legal battle between the federal government and two First Nations organizations (the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada). The settlement is intended to provide compensation for approximately 300,000 First Nations children, youth, and families who experienced systemic discrimination and racism from 1991 onward. The deal also includes a stipulation that the Minister of Indigenous services will seek an apology from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the injustices and abuses experienced by First Nations children.
The deal was unanimously endorsed by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) chiefs-in-assembly. It will next be submitted to the Federal Court for final approval prior to the disbursement of funds.
To read more : https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/human-rights-tribunal-approves-first-nations-child-welfare-deal-1.6919219
