During a ceremony on Thursday (April 18), minister of children and family services Grace Lore signed a coordinating agreement with the Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles First Nation, further reinforcing the province香蕉视频直播檚 support of the nation香蕉视频直播檚 jurisdiction over their own child and family services laws.

香蕉视频直播淲e are recognizing their inherent right to self-government, including exercising their laws, responsibilities and customs as it relates to looking after children, youth and providing family services,香蕉视频直播� Lore told The Observer. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a really, really important step, recognizing that Indigenous people have the inherent right to look after their own children and families and our commitment to continue to work together to keep Indigenous children and youth safe and connected to family and culture.香蕉视频直播�

On Family Day weekend this year, the Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles community held a celebratory ceremony in honour of their asserting their right to govern children and family services according to their laws and traditions.

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香蕉视频直播淥ur children are our most precious resource, and by assuming responsibility for their care, we are ensuring that they grow up with the love, support and connection to their culture that they deserve,香蕉视频直播� said Chief Ralph Leon (Sah-ahkw) following the ceremony.

Lore said she was 香蕉视频直播渋ncredibly grateful香蕉视频直播� to join Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles in this work.

The Family Day weekend gathering was initially meant to celebrate a ceremonial signing of a coordination agreement with the Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles nation and the federal and provincial governments. However, about a month before the ceremony, the federal government reneged on their commitment to meet the deadlines set out for finalizing the agreement.

Last year, Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles leaders brought into force Snowoyelh te Emi:melh te Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles, or 香蕉视频直播淪ts香蕉视频直播檃iles Child and Family Services Law,香蕉视频直播� which covers Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles children living on reserve. After the Family Day Ceremony, the Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles law now extends across B.C., effective April 1.

Lore said the province is committed to breaking down barriers for First Nations asserting their self-governing rights.

Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles Grand Chief Chasta Willie Charlie (Cha香蕉视频直播檘ua香蕉视频直播檞et) stated the community was 香蕉视频直播渆xtremely disappointed香蕉视频直播� in this decision, and it leaves the community significantly underfunded for the nation香蕉视频直播檚 child and family services. Though she did not have an update on where federal officials stand on the issue, Lore said the province will continue to honour the commitment to provide funding for Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles children and family services.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 work I香蕉视频直播檓 committed to and we are continuing to undertake, and that includes funding through to Sts香蕉视频直播檃iles,香蕉视频直播� Lore added. 香蕉视频直播淚 do hope the federal government will join us in these conversations because kids and youth need us to get it right.香蕉视频直播�