Federal Child Welfare Compensation
We are here to support you
Squamish Nation welcomes Canada’s commitment to set aside $40 billion for First Nations child welfare and we are cautiously optimistic that long-term reform of the child welfare system will end the discrimination our families have faced.
No amount of money will ever reverse the harms done to our children, though this settlement will act as an acknowledgement of the historical injustices by the government that has failed Indigenous children.
Questions?
Contact Ayás Mén̓men Director, Kelley McReynolds
Phone: 604-985-4111
Email: amm_reception@squamish.net
February 2023 Update
The Final Settlement Agreement for the compensation to children in care was approved by the Assembly of First Nations and representative plaintiffs in June 2022. However, there are several legal steps that must take place before compensation will be distributed including approval by the Federal Court of Canada and Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Currently, the application process for compensation hasn’t yet been decided.
We as a Nation will be as involved as possible to ensure our families and children receive the highest benefits that they are entitled to, and will provide another update to Members about the application process once it has been finalized.
This agreement affects many in our Squamish Nation community and Ayás Mén̓men (Child & Family Services) is here to support you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the department at 604-985-4111 or amm_reception@squamish.net.
We understand that these developments and related media coverage may be disappointing and potentially triggering. If you require support or would like to speak with someone, contact Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310.
More Information
2023
After three decades of advocacy leading up to negotiations that concluded on June 20, 2022, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Executive Committee and the representative plaintiffs approved a Final Settlement Agreement of $20 billion to compensate First Nations children and families who experienced discrimination under the First Nations Child and Family Services program and Jordan’s Principle.
Several legal steps must take place before compensation will be distributed, including approval by the Federal Court of Canada. A distribution protocol will be developed to outline specifics on who will be eligible for compensation and how they can apply, which also must be approved by the Federal Court of Canada.
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) has decided not to approve the Final Settlement Agreement and issued a letter on October 25, 2022 summarizing its pending decision.
On November 23, 2022, the Assembly of First Nations filed an application for judicial review of this CHRT letter decision. The AFN filed its judicial review to ensure:
- That all individuals who were harmed by Canada’s discrimination between 1991 and 2022 would be entitled to compensation.
- That the settlement agreement includes more individuals.
- Higher levels of compensation than under the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal compensation orders.
The AFN is hopeful that this matter can be settled in a timely manner and will continue to work with partners to get the best possible outcome for our children and families affected by Canada’s discrimination.
2022
The federal government signed an agreement on June 20, 2022 which includes compensation to First Nations children who have been harmed by Canada’s discriminatory child welfare system. This compensation agreement covers children who were either removed from their homes or who did not receive adequate services between 1991 and 2007.
2007 – 2022
First Nations have been fighting for over 30 years to redress the monumental wrongs to all Indigenous children, including our Squamish Nation children.
This legal battle began on February 23, 2007, when the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations filed a human rights complaint alleging that Canada’s chronic failure to equitably fund First Nations child welfare and its approach to Jordan’s Principle were discriminatory.
The precise number is not yet known. However as part of this process, independent third-party experts estimated that over 200,000 First Nations children, youth and caregivers were impacted by Canada’s discrimination in the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle and would therefore be eligible for compensation.
In addition to compensation, all First Nations children and families will benefit from a reformed family and child services system.
Details on eligibility and the application process are still being determined and will be shared once available. We will provide updates on this page as well as other Squamish Nation channels as soon as information is available.
The total settlement package is valued at $40 billion. This includes a total of $20 billion that will be made available to compensate First Nations children and families impacted by the federal government’s discriminatory funding practices and $19.807 billion for fundamental reform to the FNCFS Program and Jordan’s Principle.
The Final Settlement Agreement for the compensation to children in care was approved by the Assembly of First Nations and representative plaintiffs in June 2022. However, there are several legal steps that must take place before compensation will be distributed including approval by the Federal Court of Canada and Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Currently, the application process for compensation hasn’t yet been decided.
The Squamish Nation and Ayás Mén̓men will remain involved and informed so that our children and families are able to access what they’re entitled to. We will also be reviewing our records to make sure all of our children are accounted for.
