“By giving the Cowessess First Nation jurisdiction and authority over child and family services, the children of the Cowessess First Nation have the opportunity to be educated in accordance with their own traditions and cultures. This agreement will serve as a model for the rest of the country, and I commend Chief Delorme for his leadership in promoting this initiative. Cadmus Delorme, Chief of the Cowessess First Nation, said Tuesday`s signing of the Miyo Pimatisowin Act Coordination Agreement, which respects First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, is a step forward in the reconciliation process. The tragedy in the community with the discovery of unmarked graves related to Marieval Indian Residential School has sadly reminded us of the critical importance of supporting First Nations jurisdiction for the well-being of their children, youth and families. This coordination agreement is a historic step forward on Canada`s path to reconciliation. It will ensure that the necessary transitional measures are taken so that the Cowessess First Nation can effectively exercise its jurisdiction under the Miyo Pimatisowin Act. The nation will make its own decisions about what is best for its children, families and community. “This agreement will serve as a model for the rest of the country, and I commend Chief Delorme for his leadership in promoting this initiative. We warmly congratulate cowessess First Nation for signing the first legislated coordination agreement that respects First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.” Under the Miyo Pimatisowin Act, the Cowessess First Nation affirms its rights and jurisdiction over child and family services for all citizens of Cowessess and establishes its holistic, traditional and culturally based healing model: Chief Red Bear Children`s Lodge. We wish them strength and wisdom as they regain their rightful place in the affairs of their children and families. We expect this to be the first in a long line of coordination agreements, as Indigenous communities reaffirm their inherent right to care for their own children and families.

the right to self-determination of Indigenous peoples, including the inherent right to self-government, which includes jurisdiction over child and family services[.] He added that the coordination agreement was only a step towards reconciliation. The Act also provides protection for the exercise of inherent jurisdiction by Indigenous peoples, communities and governments to the extent that such jurisdiction relates to child and family services. In particular, when certain measures have been taken, such as . If reasonable efforts to enter into a “coordination agreement” with the federal and provincial governments, the legislation provides that Aboriginal laws on children and child welfare effectively replace their provincial counterparts. The historic signing – the first of its kind in Canada – was followed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Scott Moe and Cowessess Chief Cadmus Delorme. “They are doing everything they can to make sure that this generation of children does not need to recover from their childhood. I am just very skeptical that the Canadian government is doing that. I think they are really trying to shirk their responsibilities at the national level. “Today is a historic day. The announcement of the first-ever legislated coordination agreement with Cowessess First Nation and Saskatchewan will support the nation with the tools and resources needed to provide the best possible care for its children, youth and families.

Every Indigenous child deserves the best opportunities and we believe it will benefit their children if they have the opportunity to grow up in touch with their culture, language, heritage and community. Through the vision and commitment of the community, a strong partnership has developed and all partners are committed to realizing the spirit of this agreement. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme today announced that the first coordination agreement under the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families Act has been signed with the Cowessess First Nation – Treaty 4 Territory – and the Province of Saskatchewan. Cowessess First Nation 5. July 2021 Ceremony and signing of the Miyo Pimatisowin Act Coordination Agreement So far, approximately 20 Indigenous communities across Canada have applied to enter into coordination agreements under the Act. (Indigenous Services Canada maintains a regularly updated list here.) But Cowessess was the first municipality to enter into and ratify such an agreement with the federal and provincial governments. “Today is an example of how reconciliation is possible in Canada. For more than a year, for long hours, the Cowessess First Nation has been empowered to exercise full jurisdiction over the children, youth and families of our country, to play a leadership role in creating the vision and design of a child welfare system that reflects our culture, our values and priorities, and to lead all discussions on the transition plan outlined in our coordination agreement. Our discussions have not always been easy; Exposing the past injustices we all inherited is never the case. But with Cowessess First Nation at the helm, supported by our federal and provincial partners who have worked hard to achieve our vision, we are now ready to enter a new chapter in our history that will bring new support, hope and opportunity to the children and youth of cowessess First Nation.

Our agreement commits each government to play its part in our healing journey and in this new chapter, like a braid of soft grass. The recent passage of the Respect for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families Act (often referred to as “Bill C-92″), which came into force on January 1, 2020, has been a positive development. The law not only sets national standards for Indigenous child and family services, but explicitly recognizes it (but can`t do it itself): Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he hopes the agreement signed Tuesday will push other First Nations to follow Cowessess`s path. Cowessess First Nation asserted its inherent right to care for its own children by signing a coordination agreement with Saskatchewan and the federal government on Tuesday. For the first time in 70 years, this jurisdiction is recognized and resourced by the federal and provincial governments. Federal agencies have allocated $38.7 million to support the implementation of Cowessess` child welfare system. The legislation was passed under Bill C-92, which allows Indigenous communities to reclaim responsibility for the well-being of their children. The federal bill was drafted in response to the first five Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which focus on the well-being of children. Leaders from Cowessess and the federal and provincial governments met for years to discuss the agreement. On July 5, 2021, cowessess First Nation – a Community of Saultois in what is now Saskatchewan – signed a coordination agreement with the provincial and federal governments that launches a transition plan to regain the community`s jurisdiction and responsibility to its children, youth and families.

The result of the agreement is that the Cowessess First Nation`s Miyo Pimatisowin Act will officially prevail over the provincial Child Protection Act. “Today is an example of how reconciliation is possible in Canada. For more than a year, the Cowessess First Nation has been empowered for many hours to exercise its full jurisdiction over the children, youth and families of our country, to play a leading role in creating the vision and design of a child welfare system that reflects our culture, our values and priorities, and to lead all discussions on the transition plan outlined in our coordination agreement. ” said Delorme on Tuesday. Learn more about Canada`s first coordination agreement The ceremony, which began with a powwow and ended with a victory dance, gave hope to people in the community. Trudeau acknowledged that systemic racism exists in government institutions and discriminates against Indigenous peoples. Delorme said that this is how systemic racism is treated. Unlike colonial laws, the law begins with a prayer “because it is the approach of the cow,” said Chief Cadmus Delorme. “We have been working with Cadmus for years, with Indigenous leaders for years, on the hard work of reconciliation so that we can be here today.

This is an important thing, but there are much more important things to work on. He said that First Nations must exercise their rights to decolonize laws and move forward. Cowessess led every meeting and led every discussion, Delorme said. In March 2020, Cowessess passed its own child protection law, the Miyo Pimatisowan Act, which means in Cree “fighting for a better life.” The Government of Canada will continue to work with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories to address Indigenous peoples` priorities for child and family services reform, with a focus on the best interests of Indigenous children, cultural continuity and material equality.

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