First Nations Assembly not ready for chiefs’ welfare direction [Video]

The Assembly of First Nations is warning it’s not equipped to implement the direction it received from chiefs at two recent assemblies on child welfare reforms, while a leading child welfare advocate is questioning its authority on the issue altogether.

Chiefs passed resolutions in October and December saying the AFN should no longer represent the interests of First Nations when it comes to issues relating to reforming the child welfare system.

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They called for the creation of a new Children’s Chiefs Commission to do that instead, after voting down a landmark child-welfare deal negotiated with Ottawa.

In the meantime, an ongoing human rights case argues Canada is failing to implement Jordan’s Principle, a legal rule that stipulates that when a First Nations child needs health, social or educational services they are to receive them from …