May 9, 2025 - Williams Lake, British Columbia - Tsilhqot'in Nation, Indigenous Services Canada and the government of British Columbia

"Tilhqot'in Nidlin" - "We are Tilhqot'in"

The Tilhqot'in Nation has always asserted its inherent right to self-government, including jurisdiction, over its children and families - a right affirmed with the signing of a historic Coordination Agreement between the Tsilhqot'in Nation, Canada and the Province of British Columbia using the framework provided by An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families.

Together, the Nitsilin-Qi (Council of Chiefs) for the Tilhqot'in Nation, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and the Honourable Jodie Wickens, B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development signed a Coordination Agreement; a key milestone on the path of transforming the lives of the Tsilhqot'in people and the relationship with the Crown.

The agreement establishes responsibilities and processes for providing the coordination services to Tsilhqot'in children and young adults. It outlines a way forward that honours past, present, and future generations of the Tilhqot'in Nation for whom raising healthy and thriving children is a fundamental right and core to their identity, responsibilities, and law as Tilhqot'in people.

This year, Canada will provide $35.2 million toward, amongst other things, the delivery of prevention, governance, dispute resolution, community navigator and post majority support services in the initial phase of Tsilhqot'in jurisdiction. The Province of British Columbia will provide $766,222 to support Tsilhqot'in jurisdiction.

Through this transition there will be strong collaboration with  Denisiqi Services Society, and the province, to continue to deliver protection services under provincial law to all Tsilhqot'in on and off reserve as the Tsilhqot'in Nation builds capacity to exercise full jurisdiction under the Tsilhqot'in law.

On April 1, 2025, the Tilhqot'in Nation enacted their children and families law - Tsilhqot'in Esqax Sutsel Jeniyax (Tsilhqot'in children growing up in a good way) as the foundation for exercising its inherent jurisdiction and to establish a new model of care for Tilhqot'in children, youth and families grounded in Tilhqot'in teachings and values.

For the Tilhqot'in People, the Coordination Agreement is formal recognition of their right to protect and care for their children based on traditional teachings and values.