Media Release
WABASEEMOONG, CANADA AND ONTARIO SIGN AGREEMENT ON CHILD WELFARE LAWS (BILL C-92)
Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, January 8th, 2020
Today marks a historic day not only for Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, but across the country.
On January 8th 2021, representatives from Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, Canada (Minister of Indigenous Services Canada Marc Miller) and the province of Ontario (Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Jill Dunlop), joined together to celebrate for a remarkable moment.
At the beginning of 2020, Bill C-92 (An Act representing First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families) came into effect.
This bill recognizes Indigenous peoples’ right to jurisdiction over child and family services due to their right of self-governance.
After years of fighting and advocating, the community will now see its own child welfare law take effect this year.
As set out in Bill C-92, the customary care code will now come into effect.
The hard and persistent work of leadership in the community, will allow for the First Nation to have complete authority over its own child welfare system.
“We are bringing the code to life, giving it it’s first breathe”, said Chief Waylon Scott. “A lot of hard work went into this and now is the time to show case what can be done. This will not only make headway for our community, but for communities across the country showing them that anything is possible”.
Scott also notes that all of this was made possible, because when government to government relationships work, when governments chose to work together.
The community and leadership attributes a lot of the accomplishment in completing this code to both the community, with especial highlight on the elders.
“We are at a loss for words over this major milestone for our community”, said Adolphus Cameron the Executive Director of Wabaseemoong Child Welfare Authority. “We worked so hard on this, our elders put their spirit and legacy into this, and we will carry this forward to make positive and impactful changes”.
We thank everyone who helped accomplish this.
For Media inquiries please contact Abbie Siroishka, Senior Executive Assistant and communications lead at Kenora Chiefs Advisory- abbie.siroishka@kenorachiefs.ca, 807-407-4282
