Métis Child First Initiative

As Section 35 rights holders, MN-S is calling for the immediate access to supports through the existing federal Child First Initiative framework, while committing to establishing a distinct Métis Child First Initiative within the next two years. 

Métis children should never be left behind. 

MN–S is calling on the Government of Canada to allow for Métis children and families to access the key health, social, and education-related services and supports they need, when they need them.

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What is the Métis Child First Initiative?  

MN-S is calling for the creation of a Métis Child First Initiative (MCFI) to help Métis children and youth access the health, social, and education supports and services they need.

We envision a Métis-distinct, child first approach grounded in substantive equality. This means recognizing that equitable outcomes for Indigenous children require supports that reflect their distinct needs, cultures, experiences, and circumstances. 

The MCFI would help address gaps in existing programs, services and funding, responding to the distinct needs and circumstances of Métis children, youth, and families. At its core, an MCFI would help to ensure Métis children and youth do not go without the supports they need due to historical disadvantages, gaps, or persistent barriers within existing systems.

Why do we need a MCFI?

Métis children and families can face barriers and gaps when trying to access supports they need. A service may not be available where they live, a child may not qualify for an existing program, or available supports may not meet their distinct needs.

Government of Canada data shows us that many Métis children and families are facing significant challenges. In 2022, 35% of Métis children aged 1 to 14 lived in a household experiencing food insecurity, including 12% experiencing severe food insecurity. Almost 4 in 10 parents of Métis children said they could not cover an unexpected $500 expense, and 11% of Métis children had a healthcare need that went unmet.

These inequities are connected to the lasting impacts of colonial policies, discrimination, and the historical exclusion of Métis people from government funded programs and services, which continue to affect children and families today.

A Métis Child First Initiative would ensure that children also have access to and benefit from a distinctions- based Child First approach designed around their needs.

What could an MCFI support?

Similar to other federally funded child first initiatives, an MCFI could help Métis children and youth access a wide range of supports based on their individual needs and circumstances.

Why is MN-S calling for access to existing Child First supports?

Developing a distinct Métis Child First Initiative will take time, but Métis children and families have needs that cannot be overlooked. MN-S is calling for the Government of Canada to expand eligibility under existing federal Child First frameworks to include Métis children and youth.

While these supports may not be Métis-distinct, expanding access could help meet the immediate health, social, and educational needs of Métis children and youth while a distinct MCFI is developed.

What is “Substantive Equality”? 

Substantive equality is a legal principle focused on achieving true equality in outcomes. It recognizes that not everyone starts from the same place and that treating everyone the same does not always result in equality.

Achieving substantive equality means recognizing that people have different needs and making sure that they have equitable access to the necessary supports and services needed to overcome barriers and be provided a fair opportunity to thrive.

For Métis and other Indigenous peoples, this means looking beyond whether the same services are available to everyone and considering whether those services are accessible and able to meet their distinct needs and circumstances. It also means recognizing the lasting and ongoing impacts of colonial policies, discrimination, and exclusion from services and supports which have contributed to disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people today.

How will the MCFI help achieve substantive equality for Métis children, youth, and families?

A Métis Child First Initiative would put substantive equality principles into practice by ensuring Métis children and youth can access health, social, and education supports and products needed to thrive based upon their individual needs and circumstances.

Like other child-first approaches, the MCFI would recognize that meeting a Métis child’s needs may require going beyond the services and supports normally available. It would:

• Put the needs and best interest of the child first.
• Consider each child’s individual, family, and community circumstances.
• Recognize needs that may be greater because of historical disadvantage and ongoing inequities.  
• Address gaps, delays, and barriers in accessing services and supports.  
• Ensure that supports are culturally appropriate and distinct to the needs of Métis children and families.  

The MCFI would help ensure that Métis children and youth receive the level of support necessary to be provided the same opportunities to thrive as other children in Canada.  

Read the full media release here.