Resolutions

• Resolution no. 44
• Resolution no. 45
• Resolution no. 46
• Resolution no. 47
• Resolution no. 48
• Resolution no. 49
• Resolution no. 50
• Resolution no. 51
• Resolution no. 52
• Resolution no. 53
• Resolution no. 54
• Resolution no. 55
• Resolution no. 56
• Resolution no. 57
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Resolution no. 46

Special Chiefs Assembly
Resolution no. 46/2005
October 31, November 1 & 2, 2005, Regina, SK

Subject:	Early Learning And Child Care (ELCC) Initiative
Moved by:	Chief John Wesley Jr., Snuneymuxw First Nation, BC
Seconded by:	Chief David Crate, Fisher River Cree Nation, MB
Decision:	On November 2, 2005, the Co-Chair referred draft resolution numbers 1, 3-9, and 11-17 to the AFN Executive Committee for their consideration.  On November 8, 2005, at a duly convened meeting, the AFN Executive Committee received and affirmed draft resolution numbers 1, 4-9, and 11-16.

WHEREAS the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) was informed on May 9, 2005 that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) would be leading a Transition Plan to merge the following four Federally-funded programs into one First Nations Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) framework:

First Nations Inuit Child Care Initiative (FNICCI)

Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program

Aboriginal Head Start Urban and Northern (North of 60 and Inuit programs only)

INAC funded day care centres in Alberta and Ontario; and

WHEREAS on May 6, 2005, National Chief Phil Fontaine forwarded a letter to the Minister of Indian Affairs expressing conditional support for INAC taking the lead on the Transition Plan, provided that:  AFN be full partners in a clearly laid out transition plan and broad communications strategy; ECD funds would not be utilized to subsidize budget cuts; and that AFN and First Nations Provincial/Territorial Organizations (PTOs) be engaged as full partners in all aspects of policy development and capacity development to ensure that all First Nations’ concerns are fully addressed, including issues of quality control, standards and evaluation; and

WHEREAS there are significant benefits from a coordinated, integrated and planned approach to services to young children and their families and future opportunities for further collaboration and service delivery integration to create a seamless service delivery system; and

WHEREAS there is regional diversity across the country with respect to levels of need and access to resources which requires as a fundamental principle commitment by Federal/Provincial/Territorial Governments to closing the service delivery gaps to ensure equity of access by all First Nations children, regardless of potential barriers to universal access; and

WHEREAS the federal government continues to propose initiatives and programs which fail to recognize the specific circumstances of the First Nations in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, including initiatives and programs developed specifically for reserve lands or for status Indians; and

WHEREAS the First Nations in the Yukon and Northwest Territories have insisted on being treated equitably as other First Nations in Canada in a manner that recognizes and accommodates their unique governance arrangements and specific circumstances as guaranteed under their respective treaties; and

WHEREAS First Nations decision-making with regard to the ELCC framework must be respected and every effort made to address their concerns and facilitate their participation in the ELCC Initiative; and

WHEREAS a National ELCC meeting was held October 4-5, 2005 in Ottawa, Ontario, where First Nations regional participants agreed upon a number of key messages for the Federal Government, including the need to create regional and national ELCC working groups to continue the community consultation and engagement process to be kept apprised of, and to provide input into, the creation and progression of the new ELCC framework; and

WHEREAS regions were asked to use their political processes to determine the formal positions of PTOs on the proposed ELCC Initiative so that a proper assessment can be determined as to the current state of First Nations support and readiness across the country.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs-in-Assembly mandate the Assembly of First Nations to lobby the federal government for the $100 million to be released to expand and/or enhance Early Childhood programs based on regional First Nations priorities driven by Regional First Nations processes not as a pre-condition or requirement for the merging of existing early childhood programs; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs-in-Assembly direct that the $100 million fund be distributed directly to First Nations communities for direct programming and not be used to subsidize the funding of the regional and national working groups or the current Federal engagement strategy and that adequate additional resources be provided to the AFN and PTOs to support ongoing community consultation and engagement and the preparation of regional action plans; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Assembly of First Nations support provincial First Nations organizations or appropriate regional bodies to develop timely regional action plans based on regional readiness and the need to address community priorities for ELCC; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Yukon and the Northwest Territories First Nations, with the assistance of the AFN, develop an ELCC strategic approach and process that is inclusive of and respects the Yukon and Northwest Territories First Nations; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that nothing in the development of the ELCC Initiative shall abrogate or derogate from any inherent, Aboriginal or Treaty rights, or supersede or hinder any bilateral treaty and/or self-government tables; and

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that the AFN and regional PTO processes develop a strategic approach and be equal partners in the creation of the First Nations ELCC Transition Plan that focuses on the elements elaborated in this Resolution.