Inuit child care law passed in Canada by Inuvialuit people first of its kind
On Nov. 24, the Inuvialuit people residing in the Northwest Territories (NWT) made history by passing their own law, making this the first time an Inuit Nation instigated a law in Canada.
The new child care law is called the Inuvialuit Qitunrariit Inuuniarnikkun Maligaksat, which translates to the “Inuvialuit Family Way of Living Law.”
The legislation was passed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), the government representing the collective interests of the Inuvialuit in the N.W.T.
The new child care law now classifies Inuvialuit youth as “beneficiaries,” which is a member or descendant of someone represented by the IRC.
From now on, any beneficiaries entering child and family services will be supported to remain in their home community - unless there are exceptional circumstances.
This means that Inuvialuit youth anywhere in the country currently in child and family services will have the opportunity to return to the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), which consists of Inuvik, Aklavik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukhaktok.
The opportunity to create an Indigenous-run foster care system in the N.W.T. came after the Federal Government passed Bill C-92 in January 2020. The bill allows for First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities to take authority and transition towards “partial or full jurisdiction over child and family services at a pace that they choose.”
The new legislation in the N.W.T. will allow the IRC to create a new department that will be completely dedicated to child well-being and implementing the law.
According to a report from the Director of Child and Family Services (CFS), Indigenous people in the territory are grossly over-represented in the province's child and family services - with 98 percent of children in the foster care system being Indigenous.
However, only 57 percent of children and youth in the N.W.T are Indigenous.
Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, IRC chair, likened the effects of the Canadian foster care system to that of the Residential School system, saying, “Because of residential schools, the parents lost that communication with their children; some of them were taken away for years and when they went back home, they couldn't even speak the same language,” he said. “Then it just became a vicious cycle.”
The new law will also require all federal, territorial and provincial governments to meet the same standards when providing child and family services to Inuvialuit children - meaning that the IRC is now fully involved with any and all child welfare cases pertaining to Inuvialuit children.
N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane stated that the new law is “a significant moment relating to child and family services reform in the NWT and across Canada. The Inuvialuit are the first Indigenous government in the NWT to ratify a child wellbeing law that will apply across Canada.”
“This law is a big step forward in ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of Inuvialuit children, youth and families, ” she concluded. “We are committed to continuing to work with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation moving forward.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.