The federal government is providing a 40 billion dollar settlement for indigenous child welfare.
Cindy Woodhouse is with the Assembly of First Nations and says the agreement will be worked out over the next few months.
“The final settlement agreement will contain provisions on eligibility for compensation and the application process,” states Woodhouse.
“Work towards long-term reform will include AFN facilitated engagement sessions with all regions.”
Woodhouse adds almost half of the $40 billion settlement will go towards reparations.
“All of our children and communities going forward will benefit from the $19.8 billion in new investments and first nation-designed program and services to deal with the root causes of family breakdown. Like substandard housing, poverty, substance abuse, and multi-generational trauma.”
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says poverty can not be a reason children are taken away from their families and part of the agreement will pay for new housing in first nations.
Hajdu says while this is an agreement in principle, work now begins on finalizing the settlement agreements.
Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishinawbe Aski Nation, Bobby Narcisse says part of the settlement will include remote first nations in the far north.
