The federal government is appealing a ruling ordering Ottawa to pay First Nations children removed from their homes – however the parties have agreed to sit down, starting Monday, in hopes of reaching a financial settlement outside of court.

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found Ottawa discriminated against First Nations children by knowingly underfunding child and family services for those living on reserve.

Litigants in the case first brought forward in 2007, say this led to thousands of kids being apprehended from their families and enduring abuse and suffering in provincial foster care systems.

The tribunal ordered compensation that would top two billion dollars.

In 2019, the federal government asked the Federal Court to dismiss the tribunal’s decisions.

But it upheld the orders last month and Friday was the final day for the government to file an appeal.

The announcement of the pause in the appeal was made last evening by Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller and Justice Minister David Lametti.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said that while discouraged by another appeal, she was encouraged that a deadline will now be set to negotiate a settlement.