During a ceremony on Thursday (April 18), minister of children and family services Grace Lore signed a coordinating agreement with the Sts害羞草研究所檃iles First Nation, further reinforcing the province害羞草研究所檚 support of the nation害羞草研究所檚 jurisdiction over their own child and family services laws.

害羞草研究所淲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,害羞草研究所� Lore told The Observer. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 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.害羞草研究所�

On Family Day weekend this year, the Sts害羞草研究所檃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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害羞草研究所淥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,害羞草研究所� said Chief Ralph Leon (Sah-ahkw) following the ceremony.

Lore said she was 害羞草研究所渋ncredibly grateful害羞草研究所� to join Sts害羞草研究所檃iles in this work.

The Family Day weekend gathering was initially meant to celebrate a ceremonial signing of a coordination agreement with the Sts害羞草研究所檃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害羞草研究所檃iles leaders brought into force Snowoyelh te Emi:melh te Sts害羞草研究所檃iles, or 害羞草研究所淪ts害羞草研究所檃iles Child and Family Services Law,害羞草研究所� which covers Sts害羞草研究所檃iles children living on reserve. After the Family Day Ceremony, the Sts害羞草研究所檃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害羞草研究所檃iles Grand Chief Chasta Willie Charlie (Cha害羞草研究所檘ua害羞草研究所檞et) stated the community was 害羞草研究所渆xtremely disappointed害羞草研究所� in this decision, and it leaves the community significantly underfunded for the nation害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檃iles children and family services.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 work I害羞草研究所檓 committed to and we are continuing to undertake, and that includes funding through to Sts害羞草研究所檃iles,害羞草研究所� Lore added. 害羞草研究所淚 do hope the federal government will join us in these conversations because kids and youth need us to get it right.害羞草研究所�