2 First Nations chiefs in Alberta want more dialogue, collaboration on child welfare deal

Some First Nations chiefs in Alberta are calling for more collaboration and consultation from the federal government after a child welfare reform deal was rejected.

The $47.8 billion agreement was debated at the Assembly of First Nations in Calgary, but was struck down on Thursday. 

Since then, First Nations chiefs and proxies have voted on a new negotiation, involving a national Children's Chiefs Commission, as well as a new legal team. 

Cody Thomas, chief of Enoch Cree Nation and grand chief Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, said there needed to be changes made to the proposal.

"I think with regards to the class action, there needs to be some amendments and there needs to be more dialogue with us as Indigenous peoples," he said during a news conference announcing an agricultural benefit settlement between the federal government and nine First Nations. "It's about honouring the treaties, it's about doing what's right."

He also requested more participation from the federal government in general, addressing Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who attended the announcement Friday. 

"I'd really like for you guys to actually have the prime minister come to our traditional territory, because we've requested that several times and we still haven't had that opportunity," said Thomas. 

Billy-Joe Tuccaro, chief of Mikisew Cree Nation in northern Alberta, said he believed that the initial proposal wouldn't benefit all Indigenous kids across Canada. He said that the housing crisis is deeply intertwined with child welfare issues. 

"I'm totally against that because in regards to this reform, they were allowing only Manitoba to be a part of this for their off-reserve members … which is totally bogus and outrageous that they would even put this on the table," he said in an interview.

Tuccaro said the welfare system is already significantly underfunded, and the deal wouldn't have made much of a difference.

Anandasangaree said that the federal government would be open to amending the deal. 

"The $47.8 billion as a settlement that was reached in July, is an unprecedented amount in Canadian history and one that is very much important for the protection of children," he said. 

"It is in the interest of Canada as well as all nations to be able to come to a full resolution on this, so we will have more to do, and we will continue to do that work."

Tuccaro said ultimately, he wants all Indigenous children in Canada to benefit from a new negotiation.

"Our children are too important to us and they should be treated like every other nation's kids. Regardless what race they come from, we should have the same opportunities," he said. "Right now with this, it's grossly underfunded."