Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - October 18, 2024 - First Nations chiefs have voted to reject a $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal reached with the Canadian government.

The deal was reached after a two-decade legal fight over the federal government's underfunding of on-reserve child welfare services.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal deemed the deal discriminatory and tasked Canada with reforming the system and compensating children who were torn from their families and put in foster care.

The deal was struck between Canada, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and the Assembly of First Nations after a nearly two-decade legal fight over the federal government's underfunding of on-reserve child welfare services.

The federal government has a duty to consult with First Nations when its actions could affect their rights.

The Assembly of First Nations is not a rights-holding organization, but a forum where 630 rights-holding chiefs across Canada can advocate for their concerns.