AFN national chief pens ‘concerned’ letter to Caring Society on child welfare reform talks

The head of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has expressed concerns about the future of long-term reform for the on-reserve child welfare system in a letter to child advocate Cindy Blackstock. The National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, has been mostly silent publicly after the Liberal government declined to reopen national negotiations on a rejected $47.8 billion proposal, describing the decision as disappointing and unfortunate.

A leaked letter dated January 14 from Woodhouse Nepinak to Blackstock, who is the executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, reveals the national leader’s apprehension and quest for answers. The letter, obtained by CBC Indigenous, conveys Woodhouse Nepinak’s desire for Blackstock to secure a better agreement than the rejected draft settlement. The AFN and Caring Society are co-complainants in an 18-year-old legal battle at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which ruled in 2016 that Canada discriminates against First Nations children by underfunding on-reserve child and family services.

The federal government proposed a multibillion-dollar settlement to partially resolve the complaint, but chiefs turned down the offer at a heated AFN meeting last October. Blackstock emphasized that the suggestion in the letter that she is now in charge of the process is inaccurate, highlighting the collective responsibility of all parties involved in finding a resolution.

Woodhouse Nepinak expressed the AFN’s concerns about recent developments and questioned whether the financial commitments under the rejected agreement are still secure. Amid uncertainties compounded by the current state of government and a possible election in the short-term, Woodhouse Nepinak sought clarity from Blackstock regarding efforts to end the discrimination against First Nations children.

Ontario chiefs’ organizations, Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), rejected what they perceive as interference by the Caring Society in their pursuit of a regional deal from the original offer. The groups expressed disappointment that the Caring Society filed a motion at the tribunal this week to compel Canada back to the negotiation table nationally. The motion also sought consultation between Canada, AFN, and the Caring Society on the Ontario-specific reform, a move that COO and NAN believe is unnecessary.

COO and NAN reiterated their commitment to advancing a regional agreement and expressed their determination not to be derailed by procedural interruptions. The divide between the organizations is becoming more apparent, with COO and NAN endorsing the reform deal while the Caring Society opposed it. Despite the differences, the Caring Society emphasized that their motion aimed to facilitate national conversations and ensure transparency.

In response, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu’s office stated that Canada has made every effort to reach a fair resolution outside of litigation and is collaborating with those willing to engage constructively. The complexities and challenges surrounding the on-reserve child welfare system continue to demand collaboration, dialogue, and a shared commitment to address the longstanding issues affecting First Nations children and families.