Today, a ceremony was held on traditional territory to celebrate the signing of the Louis Bull Tribe - Asikiw Mostos O'Pikinawasiwin Society - Canada Child and Family Services Bilateral Agreement. This will support the implementation of Louis Bull Tribe's Asikiw Mostos O'Pikinawasiwin law. The agreement was signed by Chief Desmond Bull, Louis Bull Tribe; and Catherine Lappe, Assistant Deputy Minister at Indigenous Services Canada on behalf of Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services.
All children deserve the best possible start to life. This involves growing up with a connection to community and culture and their best interest always being prioritized. Federally, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act) was implemented with this in mind. The Act will benefit the well-being of the Nation's children and ultimately lead to healthy communities for generations to come.
Louis Bull Tribe's Asikiw Mostos O'Pikinawasiwin law enables the Nation to administer jurisdiction over their own child and family services. The bilateral agreement signed today with the federal government provides Louis Bull Tribe with $124.8 million over two years to support them as they implement their law and exercise jurisdiction in relation to child and family services. The agreement also establishes jurisdiction transition measures and sets out roles and responsibilities to help make the transition as smooth as possible across Canada and internationally.
Louis Bull Tribe's Asikiw Mostos O'Pikinawasiwin law shifts focus to prevention and early intervention, and also ensures that Louis Bull children receive culturally appropriate child and family services and grow up immersed in their communities, languages and cultures. Awasisahk are gifts. Louis Bull Tribe exercises its inherent sovereign jurisdiction over Awasisahk well-being involving the Awasisahk regardless of residency. This law is an exercise of our jurisdiction to repatriate the Treaty Awasisahk. In this Declaration, Louis Bull Tribe advances and protects the Treaty rights of its Tribal families: Elders, Citizens, Oskayahk and Awasis and future Awasisak.
Wherever there is a conflict of law―federal, provincial, municipal, or another First Nation―this Asikiw Mostos O'pikinawasiwin Law is paramount. Reducing the number of Indigenous children in care remains a priority for AMO Society with the support from the Government of Canada.
