By Amanda Perreault
KENORA – Ontario and Grand Council Treaty 3 are working together to transform the system of services for Anishinaabe children and youth in northwestern Ontario. “The relationship agreement between the Government of Ontario and Grand Council Treaty 3 signifies the important work we have done together through the Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy. This agreement also affirms our shared commitment to strengthen our bilateral relationship and continue working to achieve better outcomes and opportunities for Anishinaabe children and youth in Treaty 3,” stated Michael Coteau Minister of Children and Youth Services.
“Together with Indigenous partners, Ontario is focused on improving outcomes and opportunities for children, youth and their families. We are pleased to have signed a relationship agreement with Grand Council Treaty #3 that further marks our shared work on the Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy,” continued Coteau. “The Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy provides the framework for the province to support Grand Council Treaty #3 to transform the system of services for children and youth to better meet the needs of Anishinaabe children, youth and families. We recognize this work is vital to the government’s efforts towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Ontario”.
“Grand Council Treaty 3 is committed to creating the best opportunities for Anishinaabe children and youth in Treaty 3 to live in safe and healthy families and communities. I would like to commend the hard work of all of our Treaty 3 leadership, our regional organizations and community front-line staff who work tirelessly in the development and implementation of local and regional programs and services for the benefit of our families and communities. I am pleased that we have all been able to gather today to reaffirm our commitment and sign this relationship agreement with Ontario for the benefit of our children, youth and families,” stated Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Council Treaty 3.
Commitments to strengthen the relationship between Ontario and Grand Council Treaty #3 were first set out in a bilateral agreement signed in May 2009. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services-Grand Council Treaty #3 relationship agreement will complement and advance the Ontario-Grand Council Treaty #3 bilateral agreement.
Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services, and Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Council Treaty 3, signed a relationship agreement on Thursday in Kenora that will strengthen the relationship between Ontario and Grand Council Treaty 3. The agreement reaffirms a commitment to work together to improve outcomes and opportunities for Anishinaabe children and youth in Treaty 3 territory, through the co-implementation of the Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy.
The Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy provides the framework for the province to support Grand Council Treaty 3 to transform the system of services for children and youth to better meet the needs of Anishinaabe children, youth and families.
Working together with First Nations communities is part of the government’s commitment to strengthening relations with Indigenous peoples in Ontario. Supporting Anishinaabe children and youth and helping them reach their full potential is part of our commitment to reconciliation.
QUICK FACTS
- Grand Council Treaty 3 is the traditional government of the Anishinaabe Nation, comprising 26 Anishinaabe communities in northwestern Ontario and two in southeastern Manitoba.
- Commitments to strengthen the relationship between Ontario and Grand Council Treaty 3 were first set out in a bilateral agreement signed in May 2009. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services-Grand Council Treaty 3 relationship agreement will complement and advance the Ontario-Grand Council Treaty 3 bilateral agreement.
- The Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy is a long-term, generational and whole-of-government framework that seeks to transform the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Ontario government.
NetNewsledger sees this agreement as an important step forward for youth and children in the communities. We have reached out to the Grand Council Treaty Three Chief for an interview and would like to follow up this report with a more in-depth look at the agreement and the benefits to the families in Treaty Three.
