Métis Nation Congratulates Minister Philpott on Child and Family talks
WINNIPEG, March 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Leaders of the Métis Nation congratulated the Government of Canada on its announcement today to commence direct dialogue with the MNC Governing Members on the over-representation of Métis children and youth in the child welfare systems in Ontario and the four western provinces.
"The Métis Nation is heartened by the announcement today by Minister Philpott which will be of tremendous assistance for our Governing Members as we tackle the issue of the wellbeing of the Métis child. This builds upon the successful January emergency meeting called by Minister Philpott and the National Framework on the Wellbeing of the Métis Child adopted by our General Assembly in 2013" stated President Chartier.
The announcement came today in Winnipeg at the Métis Nation-sponsored Summit on Child and Family Services that was convened with the support of the Government of Canada following the Emergency Meeting on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation Child and Family Services. The conference brought together practitioners, social workers, elders, youth and leaders of the Métis Nation to discuss the social and economic situation of families whose children find themselves in the care of provincial child and family services systems.
President Chartrand stated, "We commend the Government of Canada and specifically Minister Jane Philpott for her leadership and commitment to the children, youth and families of the Métis Nation. The opportunity to engage in meaningful child welfare consultations is a first and important step in building a better, safer future for our Citizens. We are grateful for this funding and for the positive and lasting outcomes it will create for the Métis."
The announcement by the Government of Canada to pursue discussions in the child and family services area will be undertaken under the Métis Nation Accord which outlines a process to tackle shared priorities. Minister of Culture, Heritage and Families for the Métis National Council, Clara Morin Del Col, stated, "We are so pleased that the Government of Canada will facilitate discussions in our respective provinces in this extremely important priority area. It breaks new ground in bilateral discussions with the federal government and we hope that it will lead to much needed investments in Budget 2019".
The Child and Family Services Conference continues on to March 28, 2018.
The MNC represents the Métis Nation in Canada at the national and international levels. The Métis Nation's homeland includes the 3 Prairie Provinces and extends into the contiguous parts of British Columbia, Ontario, the Northwest Territories and the United States. There are approximately 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada, roughly a quarter of all Aboriginal peoples in the country.
SOURCE Métis National Council
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