OTTAWA — December 22, 2025 — Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says she supports, in principle, a national plan submitted today to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) aimed at long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS).
The plan was filed by the National Children’s Chiefs Commission (NCCC) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society).
“Nothing is more important than our children,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “And we want the government to place the same priority on First Nations children as we do. Today is the latest step in a long, too long, drawn out process. It’s time to take real action on comprehensive reform to ensure justice, fairness, safety and security for First Nations children.”
The filing follows an order issued by the CHRT on August 20, 2025 (2025 CHRT 80), which directed the AFN and other parties involved in the tribunal proceedings—including the federal government—to consult with First Nations leadership and experts to develop national plans to help inform the CHRT’s decision-making on long-term reforms. Those plans were due today.
The AFN said First Nations-in-Assembly previously mandated the NCCC to lead consultations and negotiations toward a final agreement on FNCFS reform. Alongside the national plan, the AFN submission also supports a region-by-region approach to implementing long-term change.
The AFN Executive is also reaffirming support for the Ontario Final Agreement, calling on Canada to release funding “without further delay.”
“Now that the plans are submitted, AFN will review them and assess next steps,” the National Chief said. “We hope there are strong commonalities that value our children because our preference is to work collaboratively with the government. But make no mistake — we will continue to fight for our children if we have to. I thank the National Children’s Chiefs Commission and the Caring Society for their work to develop a national plan under challenging timelines.”
