b'At the end of the day,to get those numbers down, basically,need. So I think thats the major part of and giving First Nations the power andhow the agreements going to help First hopefully it is goingjurisdiction over child welfare. Nations take control of the situation and Key reforms in the proposedpositively affect and reduce the number to mean less childrenagreement included increased funding forof kids in care and prevent kids from prevention, First Nations representativegoing into care in the first place.in care and alsoservices, post-majority support servicesGrand Chief Abram adds that that will support youth and young adultsthe adjustment for remoteness in the First Nations beingpast the age of majority, and capital. proposed agreement was advocated for able to implement aWere also working on addictionsby Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), who support for parents, Grand Chief Abramdid a remoteness quotient study.prevention-focusedsays. He pointed to this as an exampleThey did have that impact on of prevention programming that couldthe agreement in making sure that approach, which is tobe delivered through community-basedremoteness was included, because in the child welfares services. He stressed thatremote communities those costs are a lot support families inchildren thrive when they can remaindifferent than southern communities, within their family or communityaGrand Chief Abram says. All credit to need and to preventcore principle of the Chiefs of OntariosNishnawbe Aski Nation for doing that vision, which extends beyond thework for the remoteness quotient. That kids from beingcurrentagreement. benefits not just NAN but all remote The proposed agreement also includedcommunities in Ontario and across apprehended in the$2 billion in funding for housing, whichCanada as well, so that was great work would help with some of the housing andthey did.first place. infrastructure needed to keep children in their communities. The Chiefs of Ontario will determine - Grand Chief Joel Abram the best path forward in consultation Another part of the agreementwith legal experts and leaders, thats not part of the Canadian Humananticipating further discussions at future orders in 2017 as well. After years ofRights Tribunal orders is post-majorityassemblies. negotiation, in 2021the governmentsupport services, Grand Chief Abram said lets try to negotiate to try to bringsays, noting that its for youth who are an end to these orders. transitioning out of agencies. A lot of Grand Chief Abram says thetimes they just get left as soon as they are proposed agreement stems from the18. So this allows First Nations and their Canadian Human Rights Tribunalagencies to help those kids, to give them decision that was brought by the Firstlife skills, training, help them out with Nations Child & Family Caring Societya little bit of rent, maybe, or food and and the Assembly of First Nations, withhelp them get on their feet [as they are] the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbetransitioning into adulthood.Aski Nation as intervenors. The 2016Grand Chief Abram says the decision found that the complainants hadCanadian Human Rights Tribunal presented sufficient evidence to establishdecision was not about treaty rights or a prima facie case of discriminationinherent rightsit was about human under Section 5 of the Canadian Humanrights and making sure there is equality in Rights Act. Specifically, the prima facieterms of how First Nations are impacted established that First Nations childrenby the child welfare system.and families living on reserve and in theI think it really helps to enable Yukon are denied [s. 5(a)] equal childFirst Nations by giving them financial and family services, and/or differentiatedresources and helping them to build adversely [s. 5(b)] in the provision ofcapacity so they can do the things that child and family services. they need to do, rather than havingChild & Family Case ManagementAt the end of the day, hopefullysome outside external agency come inJordans Principleit is going to mean less children inthat has never dealt with First Nations,Health Centre Records care and also First Nations being ableGrand Chief Abram says. They know to implement a prevention-focusedtheir community, they know their approach, which is to support familiespeople and they know best where that in need and to prevent kids from beingmoney is going to have the most impactmustimuhw.comapprehended in the first place. So tryingin terms of helping kids and families in I ssue1 2024/25C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 23'