Chief Wayne Christian, who is one of the provincial spokespeople for the Wellness Council, adds his signature to the Interior Unity Statement. - Dan Odenbach photo

Due to a lack of funding commitment, the Aboriginal Peoples Family Accord has started its final shut down phase. On Monday, Sept. 15 all staff were given notice their current positions would end as of Oct. 31. Following direction by First Nation leadership, the next phase of the indigenous process, to give Aboriginal People more input into how family services are managed in their area, will be focused on a Nation-to-Nation model.

“I would like to publicly thank our staff for all their hard work and dedication to improving the lives of aboriginal children and youth. I know this can be difficult and the APFA board of directors and political committee appreciate their efforts,” said APFA CEO Elaine Herbert. “What exactly the next phase looks like will be discussed at the First Nations leadership level. APFA staff will do whatever possible to ensure the voices of aboriginal community members do not end up gathering dust on some shelf. A lot of great community engagement has taken place over the past six years and it would be a shame to lose it.”

The APFA encourages those who supported the community-based family services approach to throw that same commitment behind Interior leaders on the Wellness Council.

First Nation Leadership Council member Chief Lynda Price signs the Unity document. - Dan Odenbach photo

First Nation chiefs from across the Interior converged at the Lower Nicola Indian Band Arbour, just outside Merritt on Sept. 13 in a show of support for the ‘Heart of Our Nations: Interior Region Statement of Unity.’

The historic document reaffirms First Nations inherent right of jurisdiction over their children and families. Chief Don Moses spoke from his heart in his welcoming address to more than 70 people in attendance. “We’re going to talk about our young people, our children. It’s very important. They’re an investment. And our investment has to be under the care of the parents – our community.” The final resolution of the unity statement reads as follows;

“Finally it be resolved that as Indigenous People of the Interior Nations bound by One Heart and One Mind, we affirm our commitment, our unity and our moral, spiritual, traditional and political accountability to work together in a Nation-to-Nation and community-driven process to secure the individual and collective survival, dignity and well-being of our children: The Heart of Our Nations.”

	Political chief Robert Shintah has always supported giving communities more say in how family services are managed in their area. - Dan Odenbach photo

The Unity Ceremony is a result of the second Indigenous Child at the Centre Forum which was held at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre in North Vancouver on July 21-23. With about 230 delegates, including more than 80 chiefs, participants agreed to move forward towards giving Aboriginal People more input into how family services are managed in their area.

In a show of support, a First Nations Child & Family Wellness Council, which is made up of chiefs from across B.C., was formed to move this process forward. The Interior’s representatives on the Wellness Council include Chief Wayne Christian, Chief Judy Wilson and Chief Bob Pasco. At the Unity Ceremony, Chief Wayne Christian talked about the thousands of aboriginal children in care in this province. “Our job is to bring them home.”

“We’re working together for our children,” said Chief Judy Wilson Saturday in Merritt. “I’m encouraged because our spirit is becoming one.”

The Interim Interior Wellness Council met with other representatives on the Provincial Wellness Council in October to discuss next steps.

Click here for the Interior Utility Statement