During a ceremony on Thursday (April 18), minister of children and family services Grace Lore signed a coordinating agreement with the Sts鈥檃iles First Nation, further reinforcing the province鈥檚 support of the nation鈥檚 jurisdiction over their own child and family services laws.

鈥淲e are recognizing their inherent right to self-government, including exercising their laws, responsibilities and customs as it relates to looking after children, youth and providing family services,鈥� Lore told The Observer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really, really important step, recognizing that Indigenous people have the inherent right to look after their own children and families and our commitment to continue to work together to keep Indigenous children and youth safe and connected to family and culture.鈥�

On Family Day weekend this year, the Sts鈥檃iles community held a celebratory ceremony in honour of their asserting their right to govern children and family services according to their laws and traditions.

RELATED:

鈥淥ur children are our most precious resource, and by assuming responsibility for their care, we are ensuring that they grow up with the love, support and connection to their culture that they deserve,鈥� said Chief Ralph Leon (Sah-ahkw) following the ceremony.

Lore said she was 鈥渋ncredibly grateful鈥� to join Sts鈥檃iles in this work.

The Family Day weekend gathering was initially meant to celebrate a ceremonial signing of a coordination agreement with the Sts鈥檃iles nation and the federal and provincial governments. However, about a month before the ceremony, the federal government reneged on their commitment to meet the deadlines set out for finalizing the agreement.

Last year, Sts鈥檃iles leaders brought into force Snowoyelh te Emi:melh te Sts鈥檃iles, or 鈥淪ts鈥檃iles Child and Family Services Law,鈥� which covers Sts鈥檃iles children living on reserve. After the Family Day Ceremony, the Sts鈥檃iles law now extends across B.C., effective April 1.

Lore said the province is committed to breaking down barriers for First Nations asserting their self-governing rights.

Sts鈥檃iles Grand Chief Chasta Willie Charlie (Cha鈥檘ua鈥檞et) stated the community was 鈥渆xtremely disappointed鈥� in this decision, and it leaves the community significantly underfunded for the nation鈥檚 child and family services. Though she did not have an update on where federal officials stand on the issue, Lore said the province will continue to honour the commitment to provide funding for Sts鈥檃iles children and family services.

鈥淚t鈥檚 work I鈥檓 committed to and we are continuing to undertake, and that includes funding through to Sts鈥檃iles,鈥� Lore added. 鈥淚 do hope the federal government will join us in these conversations because kids and youth need us to get it right.鈥�