The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations applauds the Supreme Court decision announced Friday that First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples have an inherent right of self-government which includes control over child and family services. An appeal to the 2019 Child Welfare Act by the Quebec government said parts of the act overstepped federal jurisdiction, but the Supreme Court disagrees.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says each First Nation is sovereign with the inherent right to self-determination and self-government and these rights have never been ceded. The FSIN intervened in this Supreme Court Case in support of the Act to ensure the collective voice of their First Nations was heard about the significance and importance of First Nations jurisdiction.

Third Vice Chief Aly Bear says, “This was the hugest step forward because a lot of that work would not have been able to move forward if this wasn’t constitutional. This decision upholds all of that work that is being done in all of our Nations right now, so that is why this is such an historic day for all of our Nations across Canada.”

Metis Nation-Saskatchewan also applauds the Supreme Court’s decision. President Glen McCallum says the monumental decision is confirmation of the work their Metis government has been doing for citizens in protecting and strengthening families to preserve Metis identity, culture, values and language for future generations. “We continue to affirm our inherent right to self-government and work towards its implementation.”