The Uashat mak Mani-utenam band council has officially assumed control of its youth protection services, establishing a community-led legal framework. On Friday, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM) Council signed a significant tripartite agreement with the federal and Quebec governments, marking a crucial step in enforcing the Tshisheuatishitau Law, which aims to keep children within their extended families and the Innu community. The agreement grants the ITUM law equal standing with federal law, allowing for the transfer of all youth protection cases from Quebec’s Direction de la protection de la jeunesse to the community’s governance system. The federal government has committed $137 million in funding to support this transition. This agreement is the first of its kind since the enactment of Bill C-92 in 2020, which affirms Indigenous jurisdiction over child and family services.
Why It Matters
This agreement represents a landmark shift in the relationship between Quebec and Indigenous communities regarding child welfare. The federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families outlines that Indigenous nations have jurisdiction over child and family services, a principle that has gained legal grounding following a Supreme Court ruling in 2024. Prior to this, Quebec had resisted signing agreements under Bill C-92, creating a gap in Indigenous control over youth protection. With this precedent set, other First Nations communities in Quebec are now positioned to pursue similar agreements, potentially reshaping child welfare governance across the province.
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