The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has signed a significant amendment to its coordination agreement with the federal and provincial governments, strengthening its authority over child and family services for the next five years.
Building on an initial one-year agreement signed in May, the amendment provides long-term stability and funding for services rooted in Tŝilhqot’in law and culture. This follows the Nation’s April enactment of Tŝilhqot’in ʔEsqax Sutsel Jeniyax — their own child and family law.
The Government of Canada will provide $18.8 million annually in base funding, with additional adjustments for inflation and growth. Canada is also investing $132 million in infrastructure to support programming in the Nation’s six communities. The B.C. government will contribute $766,000 each year, plus cost-of-living increases.
This agreement supports the development of healing- and culture-based care models, prevention programs, and governance structures led by the Tŝilhqot’in Nation.
It reflects the Nation’s inherent right to care for their children and is a key step toward reconciliation, reducing intergenerational trauma, and improving outcomes for Indigenous families.
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