Williams Lake, British Columbia - Tŝilhqot'in Nation, Indigenous Services Canada and the Government of British Columbia
The Tŝilhqot'in Nation Nitsilʔin-Qi (Council of Chiefs) together with the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, federal Minister of Indigenous Services and the Honourable Jodie Wickens, B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development, are proud to announce the signing of an amendment to the coordination agreement with the Tŝilhqot'in Nation, building on earlier commitments and advancing the Nation's jurisdiction over its child and family services, grounded in Tŝilhqot'in law, values and traditions.
Within the framework of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, a coordination agreement with a one-year fiscal arrangement was announced on May 9, 2025, paving a way forward that honoured the Tŝilhqot'in Nation's inherent right to care for their children and to preserve their connection to their family, community and culture as Tŝilhqot'in People. On April 1, 2025, the Tŝilhqot'in Nation enacted their children and families law - Tŝilhqot'in ʔEsqax Sutsel Jeniyax (Tŝilhqot'in children growing up in a good way) as the foundation for a new model of care.
This amendment to the coordination agreement extends the one-year fiscal arrangement to five years, during which time the Tŝilhqot'in Nation will sustain their service delivery and establish more robust mechanisms for self-governance, accountability, dispute resolution, prevention programs and cultural continuity.
This year, Canada provided $35.2 million toward the initial phase of Tŝilhqot'in jurisdiction. To support the Nation as it transitions from this initial phase into longer‑term, sustainable jurisdictional authority over child and family services, Canada will provide $18,824,069 in base funding per year (adjusted annually based on inflation and growth). In addition, Canada will provide $132 million to support infrastructure needs for child and family programming across the 6 communities that comprise the Tŝilhqot'in Nation. The province of British Columbia is providing $766,222 annually, in addition to cost of living increases, to support Tŝilhqot'in jurisdiction.
Today's announcement represents the shared commitment to increasing the range of child, youth, and family supports under Tŝilhqot'in law, including healing, wellness, and cultural pillars to keep families together.
This important work contributes to reconciliation and nation‑to‑nation relationships as we all strive for better outcomes, lower rates of children in care, stronger cultural continuity, greater healing and reduced intergenerational trauma. Through the Indigenous-led renewal of child and family services, we work together to nurture the strength and well-being of Indigenous children and families - today and for generations ahead.
