For the first five years, the Nation and communities will work together to ensure a high level of care for children through programs that encourage community togetherness and involvement. We will expand on the prevention programs our communities already do, including on-the-land programs such as hunting camps, fishing, and community events. Services will be designed for all members of a family, and for members living away from our communities.  

The Coordination Agreement is a 5-year agreement signed by BC, Canada, and the six Tŝilhqot’in communities in March 2025. It recognizes the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s inherent right to self-govern our child and family services. It is a pathway for the Tŝilhqot’in ʔEsqax Sutsel Jeniyax (our Children and Family law) to prevail over federal and provincial law related to the services we provide. The Agreement coordinates our services with BC and Canada, and sets out funding to support those services. 

Tŝilhqot’in ʔEsqax Sutsel Jeniyax – “Tŝilhqot’in children growing up in a good way”–  is the title of our Tŝilhqot’in Children and Family Law. This Law is an expression of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s inherent right to self-determination and jurisdiction over child and family services. 

For the first five years, MCFD and delegated Indigenous child and family services agencies, like Denisiqi, will continue to have a mandate to protect children. Protection services will be transitioned to the Tŝilhqot’in Nation slowly and only after there are systems in place to make sure services are not disrupted or that children are not left at risk. With intense prevention and early intervention services, we foresee a decrease in the need for protection services. 

The Nation service delivery model is built on supporting communities while recognizing every community is unique and has their own approach to families. 

The Nation will be unified under the Tŝilhqot’in Law, which establishes Nation-wide standards and protocols for children and families. Communities will determine their own services and structures to meet those standards. This includes continuing to provide prevention services in their own way. 

Our law also establishes the Nexwedeni Gubadechen Jedilhtan (“holding the laws for our people”) which will act as a central organization to support communities. This organization will fill any gaps in programs and create opportunities to collaborate and learn together as we implement Tŝilhqot’in law.  

We expect families will see many benefits from family jurisdiction, including:  

• Improved programs and services that promote healthy families.  

• Programs operating in a Tŝilhqot’in way according to our Dechen Ts’edilhtan.  

• More programs available to Members living away from home.  

• More opportunities for communities to partner and coordinate with each other, with support when needed from the Nation level.  
• More resources for communities and the Nation to establish tools and policies to implement our law and build towards self-determination.