The federal government and a national Indigenous organization are at odds over how much of the latterSA国际影视传媒檚 input was reflected in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 new Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.
The Native WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Association of Canada (NWAC) announced on Sept. 18, the day after Ottawa released the framework, that it was SA国际影视传媒渄eeply disappointedSA国际影视传媒� in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 decision not to partner with it on the development of the framework.
While the NWAC maintains it was consulted SA国际影视传媒� albeit, it stated, at a SA国际影视传媒渃ursory levelSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� it says its input, particularly on SA国际影视传媒済ender-based recommendations,SA国际影视传媒� was not reflected in the final product.
NWAC acting communications director Lucy Juneau told News/North the association wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be able to share documentation on the recommendations, but that it could discuss them. The association was unable to schedule an interview between News/North and NWAC president Francyne Joe by press time.
The Government of Canada maintains that the NWAC was one of five national Indigenous organizations leading the engagement processes, along with local and regional Indigenous organizations and governments and the feds, according to Amelie Maisonneuve, a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada.
The Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Metis National Council are considered partners on the framework, but organizations and governments across the country were consulted in its development.
SA国际影视传媒淭he framework as a whole, including the gender and family diversity section, reflects the important views shared by NWAC during the engagement and co-development,SA国际影视传媒� stated Maisonneuve.
The framework will lead to a plan on how the federal government will deliver on its $1.7 billion pledge to strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families across the country, including in the NWT, starting next fiscal year.
Maisonneuve stated the government hopes to turn the framework into tangible action SA国际影视传媒渁s soon as possible,SA国际影视传媒� and that decisions on investments will be made with its partners. She stated the decision-making process will include ongoing dialogue at the community level.
SA国际影视传媒淭his new process supports greater Indigenous control, with improved collaboration, flexibility and broader coordination SA国际影视传媒� key themes heard throughout engagement,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Maisonneuve.
SA国际影视传媒淎s focus shifts to implementation of this new transformative initiative, it will be important to ensure the voices of Indigenous women and the organizations that represent them continue to be heard.SA国际影视传媒�
Maisonneuve says several engagements were held in the NWT last year with representatives from across the territory.
Maisonneuve says a regional engagement session was held in Yellowknife on June 13 and 14, 2017 in Yellowknife, led by the Assembly of First Nations, involving elders, parents and representatives from all of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 First Nations, among others.
Engagement sessions were also held in the spring and summer of 2017 in Inuvik, Yellowknife and Behchoko involving the GNWT, Ulukhaktok Child Development Centre, Children First Society, Tuktoyaktuk Child Development Centre, Paulatuk Aboriginal Head Start, Inuvik Aboriginal Head Start, Aklavik Child Development Centre, Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, Aurora College, NdiloSA国际影视传媒檚 Done Necha-Lia Gha EnitlSA国际影视传媒檈 Ko, Fort ProvidenceSA国际影视传媒檚 Dezoah Undaa Etleh Koke and Hay River Dene Reserve Aboriginal Head Start.
