“The Longest Road is the Shortest Way Home”: Leadership from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Chiefs of Ontario, and Indigenous Services Canada Gather to Mark the Implementation of the Ontario Final Agreement
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Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
On May 29, 2026, leadership from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (“NAN”), Chiefs of Ontario (“COO”), and Indigenous Services Canada (“ISC”) gathered to celebrate the implementation of the Ontario Final Agreement (“OFA”). NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse, Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, and Minister Mandy Gull-Masty stood together today to reaffirm Ontario First Nations’ rights to self-determination and the right to care of their own children.
Today’s implementation of the OFA follows the March 30, 2026, decision of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (“CHRT” or “Tribunal”) approving the agreement. The OFA represents a historic transformation of the First Nations Child and Family Services (“FNCFS”) Program in Ontario. Valued at approximately $8.5 billion, the nine-year deal establishes a funding model grounded in the actual needs of First Nations children, families, and communities for First Nations in Ontario. For remote and northern communities, including 49 NAN First Nations, the agreement includes critical upward funding adjustments to account for remoteness that recognizes the significantly higher costs associated with delivering child and family services in isolated regions. This is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the realities and discrimination that First Nations have experienced for decades.
Implementation of the OFA stands as a significant moment for First Nations in Ontario and reflects what can be achieved through collective leadership, persistence, and a shared commitment to ensuring that First Nations children receive equitable, culturally appropriate, and properly funded services.
Falconers LLP lawyers Julian Falconer, Meaghan Daniel, Erin McMurray, Jordan Tully, and paralegal David Schwartz are honoured to have supported NAN throughout this process, and to have contributed to efforts aimed at achieving meaningful systemic change for First Nations children and families, particularly those living in remote communities, in Ontario and beyond.
A copy of the CHRT’s decision with reasons to follow can be found here.
A copy of the Ontario Final Agreement can be found here.
Media Coverage
• A copy of NAN’s press release can be found here.
• Chiefs of Ontario News Release: Ontario Final Agreement Takes Effect, Advancing First Nations Jurisdiction in Child and Family Services
• Indigenous Services Canada News Release: Ontario First Nations and Canada celebrate the implementation of the Ontario Final Agreement to reform Child and Family Services
• Mike Stimpson, SNnewswatch (May 29, 2026) – “Change ahead with transformative First Nations child welfare deal”
• APTN News (March 30, 2026) – “Canadian Human Rights Tribunal approves deal that promises to reform First Nations child welfare system in Ontario”
• Karyn Pugliese, APTN News (Mar. 3, 2026) – “Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation hope Tribunal will approve child welfare agreement”
• Tanya Talaga, The Globe and Mail (Dec. 11, 2025) “Ontario’s $8.5-billion child-welfare deal must pass without further delay”
• Karyn Pugliese, APTN News (Feb. 26, 2025) – “Chiefs in Ontario vote in favour of federal child welfare reform deal”
