The Conference was convened by the Chiefs of Ontario and held from May 19 – 20, 2021 via Zoom. There were over 150 participants from First Nations communities. It brought in leaders, experts and practitioners from First Nations communities and Child Well Being Organizations, law firms and Agencies, as well as the federal and provincial governments to examine and discuss how to maximize benefits from C-92, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families. Opportunities to ask questions were provided to participants after each session and two Breakout sessions on each day. Over the 2 days, 17 topics were discussed.
Co-developed with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners, C-92 affirms the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services; establishes national principles such as the best interests of the child, cultural continuity and substantive equality and provides an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to choose their own solutions for their children and families.
