The Conseil Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam signed a historic tripartite agreement on July 10, 2026, to manage its own youth protection services [2].

This agreement marks a significant shift in jurisdictional power, allowing the Innu community to legislate the protection of its children rather than relying on provincial or federal mandates. It represents a move toward self-determination and the restoration of community-led care for Indigenous families.

The agreement was signed by the Conseil Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam, the government of Canada, and the government of Quebec [1]. This is the first coordination agreement of its kind to be signed within the province of Quebec [2].

The transition comes after years of negotiations and legal challenges regarding federal laws that authorize First Nations to legislate in this area [1]. By securing this power, the community can design services that align with their specific cultural values and social needs, reducing the reliance on external systems that have historically struggled to serve Indigenous populations.

With this signing, the Conseil Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam becomes the 16th Indigenous community in Canada to reach such an arrangement [1]. The agreement focuses on child and family services, ensuring that the community has the legal authority to oversee the welfare of its youth directly [2].

The signing took place in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, specifically within the Uashat-mak-Mani-utenam community [1]. The tripartite nature of the deal ensures that funding and coordination are shared between the local council and the two levels of government.

“This is the first coordination agreement of its kind to be signed within the province of Quebec.”

This agreement is a landmark for Indigenous sovereignty in Quebec, as it breaks a provincial precedent regarding the delegation of child welfare authority. By becoming the first community in Quebec to achieve this tripartite coordination, the Uashat-mak-Mani-utenam community creates a legal blueprint that other First Nations in the province may follow to reclaim jurisdiction over their children and families.