Tŝilhqot’in National Government to provide child and family services to its community
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A First Nation near Williams Lake has reached a landmark deal with the federal government to take over providing child and family services to its community.
The Tŝilhqot’in National Government signed an agreement with the B.C. and federal governments where it outlines processes and responsibilities for providing services to Tŝilhqot’in children and young adults.
In 2025, the federal government will provide Tŝilhqot’in with $35.2 million toward a community navigator, along with dispute resolution, government, prevention and post majority support services. The B.C. government will also provide $766,000.
“We are making progress, as a Nation of six distinct communities working together in unity, to reclaim jurisdiction for our children and families,” Nits’ilʔin Otis Guichon, Tŝilhqot’in Tribal Chief states in a news release issued Friday (May 9). “Organizational and legislative change doesn’t happen overnight – but change must happen. Tŝilhqot’in problems require Tŝilhqot’in solutions and with intensive input from, and collaboration with our people, we have stood up our own Tŝilhqot’in law that puts our way of life, our values, and our children first.”
