Northern Authority Supports Manitoba Court Decision and Calls for Immediate Action to Restore First Nations Authority Over Child Welfare

May 21, 2026

Headingley, Manitoba -- The Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of The First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority welcome and fully support the recent decision of the Manitoba Court of King's Bench regarding First Nations child welfare in Manitoba.

Northern Authority recognizes the Court's findings that Canada and Manitoba violated the constitutionally protected rights of First Nations children, youth, families, and communities through the funding, regulation, administration, and control of Manitoba's child welfare system.

The Court's findings confirm what First Nations leadership, agencies, Elders, families, and communities have been saying for many years, that First Nations children and families have been subjected to harmful systems and practices that failed to respect First Nations jurisdiction, natural laws, cultural values, traditions, identities, languages, and inherent rights.

Northern Authority believes the Court's findings clearly demonstrate that Manitoba and Canada imposed systems and laws that disrupted First Nations families, weakened cultural relationships, separated children from their Nations and communities, and subjected many First Nations children, youth, and families to ongoing harm and abuse within the child welfare system.

Northern Authority further recognizes that for many years Manitoba maintained control over First Nations child welfare systems while failing to fully respect the original intent and principles of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry-Child Welfare Initiative (AJI-CWI). The intent of AJI-CWI was partnership, collaboration, shared decision-making, and the restoration of First Nations authority over child and family services, not unilateral decision-making by Manitoba.

Northern Authority is deeply concerned that Manitoba's Minister of Families continues to make decisions affecting First Nations children, youth, families, authorities, and agencies without fully respecting the spirit, intent, and principles of AJI-CWI, including meaningful partnership and collaboration with First Nations leadership, authorities, agencies, Standing Committees, Leadership Councils, and communities. Of particular concern is the unilateral development of legislative amendments directly affecting First Nations peoples, which disregards both the mandatory constitutional obligations and the explicit recommendations to consult with First Nations whose rights are protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Northern Authority further recognizes that despite the devolution of child and family services in Manitoba, authorities and agencies have continued operating under provincial legislation, standards, directives, policies, and funding frameworks imposed and regulated under Manitoba law. Northern Authority believes this has limited the ability of First Nations leadership, authorities, and agencies to fully exercise their own jurisdiction and care for children according to First Nations laws, values, traditions, and community priorities.

Northern Authority also raises serious concerns regarding Manitoba's failure to fully uphold and implement the principles of the Authority Determination Protocol (ADP), as well as the broader commitments and objectives established through AJI-CWI.

Northern Authority supports the full and meaningful implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, SC 2019, c. 24, including the recognition and implementation of First Nations jurisdiction and the development of First Nations child and family laws rooted in First Nations cultures, traditions, values, languages, and natural laws.

Northern Authority believes First Nations children and youth should have the opportunity to safely do things within their own First Nations families, communities, and Nations with access to culturally appropriate programs, services, and supports that strengthen identity, belonging, healing, language, long-term wellbeing, and confidence within their communities of origin.

Northern Authority calls upon Manitoba's Minister of Families to immediately establish a collaborative working group directly focused on the wellbeing and future of First Nations children, youth, and families, including strengthening the existing Standing Committee and revitalizing the currently inactive Leadership Council.

Northern Authority also calls upon Manitoba and the Minister of Families to begin immediate discussions and actions focused on bringing First Nations children home to their families, communities, and Nations, and reducing the continued overreliance on foster homes and systems that separate First Nations children from their identities, communities, cultures, and families.

Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority
200-300 Alpine Way
Headingley, Manitoba, Canada, R4H 0E1
Phone: 204-942-1842
Email: info@northernauthority.ca

 

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