Canada’s Prime Minister, Saskatchewan’s Premier and the Chief of the Cowessess First Nation signed the first agreement of its kind on Tuesday afternoon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $38.7-million investment over the next two years to support the First Nation in taking over jurisdiction for its own child and family services system. Premier Scott Moe says the provincial government will continue to provide protection services for Cowessess First Nation children off reserve during the transition.

Chief Cadmus Delorme stresses that the Sixties Scoop, residential schools and the Indian Act are inherited problems. They are not the fault of the Prime Minister or the Premier. He says, “Every Indigenous child deserves the best chance and we believe this will benefit their children to have the opportunity to grow up connected to their culture, language, heritage, and community. The Prime Minister hopes this agreement will serve as a model for the rest of the country.