In an emotional gathering today, dignitaries from the federal and provincial government met with the Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw Nations to sign an historic agreement.
Gathering in Port Hardy, elders, families, and political representatives came together to mark a new coordination agreement which affirms and restores jurisdiction over children and families to the Nations.
Elected Chief Leslie Walkus says it’s the first step towards integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge and culture with modern-day laws.
“It’s a start to return to our traditional ways of how we care for one another,” he said. “It’s a start to reuniting families, but in a cultural way. It’s a start for the nation to return to our practices of when a child needs a safe place to go, that’s going to happen in community.”
Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu and provincial Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore were in attendance, along with Port Hardy Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt.
The new agreement puts the nation in charge of Child and Family Services for its members, rather than the province.
In a news release from the GNN, they call it Galgapothia, which means standing together, holding hands, and lifting each other up.
“Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations are deeply committed to preserving their language and
culture and have woven these principles into the very fabric of the Aux’stila du gingananam Child and Family Protection and Support Law, meaning ‘taking care of our children,’ ” the release says. “Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations are reconnecting children and youth to their families, teaching them that they belong, and rooting them to their Nation where children are “dlugwe,” meaning treasures from heaven and “kwa’layu,” grandparents’ reason for living.”
The coordination agreement outlines a common understanding, the specific roles and responsibilities of all parties, and solidifies a shared commitment to facilitate the seamless coordination of services for children, youth and families via the Galgapothla Family Services Society. The agreement also addresses the fiscal aspects of delivering child and family services, articulating guiding principles for future financial arrangement.
Canada has committed to provide $105.8 million over the 10 years of the agreement.
British Columbia has committed to providing $4.7 million, subject to annual adjustments
to account for inflation.
