(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) – The BC First Nations Leadership Council has reviewed and embraced the report presented by Ted Hughes recognizing the opportunities it creates for ensuring the health and well-being of all children. The review provides 62 recommendations for improving the child welfare system, and it endorses a cooperative approach for bringing these recommendations into action.
“We need to move forward in a focused manner to put Hughes’ recommendations into action,” expressed BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo. “First Nations need to work in cooperation with all parties, the Ministry, the Opposition, and the federal government. We have met with Minister Hagen, expressed our support for the report, and discussed plans for fulfilling the recommendations in the spirit of the New Relationship. ”
“The report is about our children, about their safety and their future, which is something that our people feel very strongly about,” said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. “We need to work together as leaders, as governments, as communities, to ensure that our children receive the highest level of care with a system that is in keeping with our cultures. The report underscores that our communities’ need adequate support and capacity for developing community-based childcare services with key involvement of the federal government.”