Executive Councillor’s Edward R. Johnson, ƛicitatḥ and Stephen Rayner, n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ receiving a Premier’s Award on behalf of Huu-ay-aht First Nations along side other partnering Nations (Photo provided by Wendy Norris).
On November 21, 2023, Huu-ay-aht First Nations was awarded, alongside other Nations, a Premier’s Award for the work done on Bill 38.
The Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards are given annually to honour exceptional accomplishments and contributions in various areas.
Huu-ay-aht was awarded in the leadership category by Jennie Ireland, Executive Director of the Ministry of Child and Family Development. The Premier’s Awards celebrate British Columbia’s creativity, innovation, and dedication and the public service employees who make it possible.
In 2022, British Columbia, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, drafted Bill 38 (Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act), resulting in historic changes to its provincial child and family service legislation.
Bill 38 amended the Adoption Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act to align both acts with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, aiming to recognize, uphold, and reduce barriers to Indigenous jurisdiction over Indigenous child and family services in B.C.
Notably, the 1996 passage of the Child Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) in B.C. replaced the colonial-era Family and Child Service Act, which had been in force since 1980, marking significant amendments since then.
The goal of this bill was to rework jurisdiction and allowing Indigenous Nations to have say over child welfare in communities. It aimed to grant Huu-ay-aht and other Indigenous nations the authority to determine how families facing challenges would be supported and how Indigenous children would be cared for, with the goal of avoiding the removal of children from Indigenous families.
The Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award presented to Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Photo by Amanda-Lee Cunningham).
“This is a historical event for Huu-ay-aht First Nations and all First Nations involved” says Councillor Edward R. Johnson “This collaboration with the Province, brings us one step closer to creating change for future generations”.
Councillor Edward R. Johnson explains that with the collaborative work on Bill 38, it is working towards our main priority of keeping Huu-ay-aht and all Indigenous Children healthy, safe, and connected to their family, home, traditions, and culture.
The Indigenous Child Welfare system is a work in progress, Councillor Edward R. Johnson explained he was honoured to participate in the process of Bill 38, but also looks forward to contributing on future amendments that recognize and uphold inherent Indigenous jurisdiction over Child and Family Services in British Columbia.