Mushkegowuk Council

31Annual Mamowihitowin

Resolution No. 2016-09-18

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Warren Hardisty, Youth Councillor Moose Cree First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Moose Cree First Nation

Tayk:wa Tagamou Nation

Chief Andrew Solomon, Fort Albany First Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Missanabie Cree First Nation

Certified copy of a resolution passed on September 30, 2016

September 30, 2016

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Cree Laws for Protecting Cree Families and Children

WHEREAS, the Mushkegowuk communities have an Inherent Right to Self-Governance; and

WHEREAS, Mushkegowuk communities have maintained a Nation­to-Nation relationship with Ontario and Canada;and

WHEREAS, the Mushkegowuk communities have an inherent right of control over their citizenship, especially over our children, and

WHEREAS, The Youngest Citizens of the Mushkegowuk territory are the most vulnerable in our nations, and need the most protection; and

WHEREAS, Payukotayno James & Hudson Bay Family Services has been mandated to be our Child Welfare Agency for the Mushkegowuk nations since 1986; and

WHEREAS, the number of our Mushkegowuk children-in-care continues to be high and is growing at an alarming rate; and

WHEREAS, our children-in-care are being placed in southern Ontario in various non-native homes;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly direct the Grand Chief to explore our own Cree rights and jurisdiction in terms of child care prior to the inception of Payukotayno James and Hudson Bay Family Services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly direct the Grand Chief to re-visit the mandate given by the Chiefs to form Payukotayno James and Hudson Bay Family Services, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly direct the Grand Chief to explore a Cree Law as it relates to protecting families and children. and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Grand Chief report back to the Chiefs by December, 2016.