Signing of an agreement between the Government of Quebec and the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw

La Tuque, January 29, 2018 – With a view to entrusting the communities of Manawan and Wemotaci with greater autonomy, the Government of Quebec and the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw today signed an agreement for the establishment of a special youth protection program for the members of these communities. This is the first ever agreement of its type to be reached in Quebec.

Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living; Geoffrey Kelley, Minister responsible for Native Affairs; and Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region and Member for Laviolette, represented the government at the official signing, which took place in La Tuque. Under section 37.5 of the Youth Protection Act, the Government of Quebec is authorized to enter into an agreement for the establishment of a special youth protection program, applicable to any child whose security or development is or may be considered to be in danger. This agreement may be reached with a first nation, a Native community, a group of communities or any other Native group.

Quotes:

The signing of this agreement between the Government of Quebec and the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw will benefit everyone. Together, we are ensuring the protection of children and youth from the Manawan and Wemotaci communities while respecting their culture, lifestyle and values. I would like to thank all of the partners for their valued collaboration. I am confident that the agreement that we are signing today will be a model and inspiration for others.

– Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living

By opening the way to greater involvement from the Atikamekw Nation in the delivery of youth protection services, we are recognizing the value of actors who share the same surrounding reality in helping, protecting and guiding their youth. Young people are our future, and we share the responsibility for leaving them a solid foundation from which they can reach their full potential. Through this agreement, we have taken an important step together towards reconciliation.

– Geoffrey Kelley, Minister responsible for Native Affairs 

This agreement will have tangible results for youth who are experiencing difficulties in the communities of Manawan and Wemotaci. By pooling our resources, we will be able to identify the most appropriate intervention methods and thus meet an essential need: our children’s wellbeing.

– Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region 

Key facts:

•  The Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw is responsible for the organization and delivery of social services on Manawan and Wemotaci community land.
• The agreement entrusts Native persons or authorities with exercising, with full authority and independence, the responsibilities assigned to the director of youth protection (DYP) and the provincial director. Moreover, as regards the exercise of the entrusted responsibilities, the agreement may provide procedures different from those provided for in the Youth Protection Act, in order to take into consideration the values, culture and lifestyle of Native persons. Note that under such an agreement, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux remains responsible for the implementation of the Act.
• A monitoring committee will periodically assess the implementation of the agreement.