The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs (Assembly) are pleased with Canada’s decision on Bill C-92 which has now become the first federal law in the area of child welfare – an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Today, the Federal Government has begun to acknowledge that the humanitarian crisis for Indigenous children in Canada needs to be addressed and rectified.

This Act will provide new tools for the child welfare system in Nova Scotia and recognizes the importance of cultural continuity to the well-being of a child and their community as whole, as well as the factors to be considered when looking at the Best Interest of an Indigenous child.

“We are welcoming the positive change that this new law brings to our Indigenous communities,” said Chief Paul J. Prosper, Justice Lead for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs. “Most importantly, this recognizes our inherent right to govern ourselves.”

For years, the Assembly has called upon the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada to address changes to child welfare that First Nations communities across Canada have collectively brought forward.

“We have been working on child welfare matters since 2014 and we can now fully proceed to have Mi’kmaq laws for Mi’kmaq children in Nova Scotia,” continued Chief Prosper. “With the amendments to Bill C-92, we welcome Canada’s new approach – one that is also begins to recogn ...