"The [United Nations] tribunal issued a decision in 2016 concluding that the federal government did discriminate against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare system."

Children at a playground in Attawapiskat First Nation, in northern Ontario, in 2016.(Chris Wattie/Reuters)

"Sources close to the negotiations told CBC News the agreement was reached Friday to settle compensation claims related to a landmark Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling on Indigenous child welfare compensation.

The parties to the dispute, which include the federal government on one side and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) on the other, agreed to negotiate until a self-imposed deadline of Dec. 31."

Thank you AFN et al for your tenacity. I had the pleasure of sitting in on many negotiations between the Nuu-Chuh-Nulth Nation (https://nuuchahnulth.org/) and the federal government.

I asked Dr. Simon Lucas about the council's patience and how they remained calm with the federal negotiators' evasive tactics.

He replied with a broad grin, "Jon, you need to learn to tell time, Nuu-Chuh-Nulth time."

Hours would pass with the government rambling on and on and on with no solution offered. Dr. Lucas and the team never uttered a word. They sat quietly until the government spokespersons were exhausted and had nothing more to say.

Then I saw what Dr. Lucas meant as the team began.

Thank you Dr. Simon for the valuable life lesson.

Our appreciation to CBC for the article and photo.