ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (January 28, 2022) – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe welcomes the recent announcement that Canada will be withdrawing its application for judicial review of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) ruling on the funding of capital assets for First Nations child and family services, and Jordan’s Principle service providers.

“This is a relief for our communities who are in the process of rebuilding and reclaiming their role in child and youth well-being. It will assist them in accessing the resources required for capital infrastructure,” states Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe. “To date, 22 Anishinabek First Nations have enacted the Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law to protect our children.”

It is anticipated that First Nation Representatives, also known as Band Representatives, agencies, and Jordan’s Principle service providers, will receive further information regarding how to apply for the funds as early as February of 2022. Information and applications will be made public through the Indigenous Services Canada website.

“All children and youth have the right to be safe and cared for – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – by their family, extended family and communities. We want to commend the continued efforts of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Assembly of First Nations, the Chiefs of Ontario, and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation who negotiated an Agreement-in-Principle with the federal government that lead us to this unified approach,” added Grand Council Chief Niganobe. “We hope the federal government will continue these negotiations in a good way to find meaningful and impactful solutions that address the need for compensation and long-term reform of First Nations child and family services.”

Relevant Links:

• Summary of CHRT Ruling
• CHRT Ruling
• Draft Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law