The Tŝilhqot’in National Government has signed a Coordination Agreement with the federal and provincial governments for funding and support as the nation works towards reclaiming full jurisdiction over child and family services.
“This is a huge step, a new era for our nation where the care for our families and children is finally recognized,” says Tŝilhqot’in Nation Tribal Chief Otis Guichon. “Under our inherent jurisdiction and laws, we are now rolling out our own model of care based on who we are and what we know is right, instead of a system that has failed us for generations.”
The Nation’s Nitsilʔin-Qi (Council of Chiefs) for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honourable Jodie Wickens, B.C. The Minister of Children and Family Development announced the signing of the Coordination Agreement on May 9.
The agreement affirms the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s jurisdiction over child and family services, so the Tŝilhqot’in Nation can build up its child and family services in a way that reconnects to the nation’s culture, teachings, and values.
As part of the agreement signed, the Canadian government is providing $35.2 million, and the Province of British Columbia will provide $766,222 to support Tŝilhqot’in jurisdiction through the transitional and first phases of its jurisdiction’s implementation.
Chief Guichon says the Nation will be collaborating with its partners, such as Denisiqi Services Society and the province, to continue to provide protection services under the provincial law to all Tŝilhqot’in living on and off the reserve.
“ Thoughtful steps with our partners for the transition from government systems that haven’t worked for our people. This transition will take time, but we are all approaching in a strategic and intentional way to focus on culture and love for our children and families.”
The agreement signing also comes a month after the Tŝilhqot’in Nation enacted its Tŝilhqot’in ʔEsqax Sutsel Jeniyax (Tŝilhqot’in children growing up in a good way) law, which provides a foundation for exercising the nation’s inherent jurisdiction.
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