The Founding First Nations sign a coordination agreement with Canada and Alberta

Credit: GCIndigenous

On April 11, 2023, the Founding First Nations—composed of Peerless Trout First Nation, Loon River First Nation and Lubicon Lake Band—signed a coordination agreement with Canada and Alberta in response to the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. This was the first agreement of this kind signed by multiple First Nations in Canada. Additionally, it was the first agreement in Alberta signed by a First Nation, Canada, and the province. This coordination agreement enables the Founding First Nations to exercise their inherent rights over their child and family services via their own law, Awas’ak Wiyasiwewin (Cree for “children’s law”). This agreement marks an important step towards reconciliation and a more equitable future.

The video features moments from the celebration ceremony, as well as interviews with (in order of appearance):

• Tom Owen, Legal Counsel at Founding First Nations
• Mona Auger, Executive Director at KTC Child & Family Services; and
• Gladys Okemow, Onikanew (“leader”) of Awas’ak Wiyasiwewin

This video explains what a coordination agreement is and what it means to those who have worked so hard to bring it to fruition.