tansi ninôtemik,
In a live press conference after the signing of the Inuvialuit Coordination Agreement (the “Agreement”) on September 30, 2024, in Inuvik, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answered six questions from the press.[1] Trudeau began the press conference by introducing MP Michael McLeod and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Duane Smith.[2] After the introductions, Trudeau went straight into receiving questions from the press.
One of the questions pertained to the Agreement signed today and how it would look on the ground.[3] The Agreement will support Inuit-led child and family services for the Inuvialuit community.[4] It allows Inuvialuit values, traditional knowledge and community to be at the forefront of child-centred decisions.[5] These decisions include how to best support the future of their families, ways of life, and strengthen community and cultural ties.[6] The focus the IRC has taken with the agreement is one which is preventative by ensuring there are community support services, addiction services, and housing investments.[7] For the kids who are in extreme situations and need to be protected, the Agreement ensures that the Northwest Territories (N.W.T) government will work closer with the IRC to ensure culturally appropriate support and conditions are available.[8] As part of this agreement, the Government of Canada will provide $533.5 million over 10 years starting in 2024-25.[9]
Another question Trudeau answered was on the importance and significance of the contributions the federal government is making to the Inuvialuit people.[10] Trudeau stated how many communities across the country have discussed the importance of protecting kids.[11] Trudeau made a connection between the importance of language, traditional knowledge and learning from elders, to the sense of self and pride for children.[12] He referenced this as being an important factor for Bill C-92 to ensure that children could stay in their communities even if they couldn’t stay at home.[13]
“Not removing kids from their languages and cultures was a huge priority because to a certain extent it was a different version of the terrible mistake that Canada had made with residential schools; of removing kids from their language and their culture.” [14]
The liberal government has now signed 11 agreements around child and family services.[15]
Comparing the first Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2021 to this Truth and Reconciliation Day, makes the future of reconciliation hopeful. In 2021, Trudeau denied at least two invites to spend the day with survivors and their families in Indigenous communities.[16] Instead, he spent the Day in Tofino, on vacation with his family. [17] However, this Truth and Reconciliation Day, Trudeau spent the day in an Indigenous community for a signing ceremony of the Inuvialuit Coordination Agreement. As well, he acknowledged the similarities between residential schools and the current child welfare system. The polarity between the first Truth and Reconciliation Day compared to the fourth, spent by our Prime Minister, gives hope that this is just the start towards reconciliation.
ekosi,
The ReconciliACTION Team
[1] Press Conference by Justin Trudeau and Duane Smith (30 September 2024) live in Inuvik and online: <https://www.youtube.com/live/C1t_kWoMiic?si=7NbQ40ie5SriTRh2> [Press Conference].
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Government of Canada, News Release, “Government of the Northwest Territories, and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation reach a historic coordination agreement to support Inuit-led child and family services” (30 September 2024), online: <https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/09/30/government-canada-government-northwest-territories-and-inuvialuit-regional-corporation> [News Release].
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Press Conference supra, note 1.
[8] Ibid.
[9] News Release supra, note 4.
[10] Press Conference supra, note 1.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Mercedes Stephenson & Rachel Gilmore, “Trudeau spends 1st Truth and Reconciliation Day in Tofino on vacation, contradicting itinerary” (1 October 2021), online: <https://globalnews.ca/news/8234246/trudeau-vacation-indigenous-tofino-truth-and-reconciliation/>.
[17] Ibid.
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