First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority Portfolio

The Northern Authority and its affiliated agencies will provide services throughout Manitoba. Northern First Nations children and families will have access to child and family services under the auspices of northern First Nations agencies no matter where they live in Manitoba. In the new system, the Northern Authority will work in cooperation with the other Authorities and the Province to ensure residents of Manitoba receive services in a timely and efficient way, leaving no child at risk.

Throughout the implementation and stabilization phases of the AJI-CWI (February 2002 - October 2004), the Northern Authority and its affiliated agencies and organizations will continue to provide representation on all design teams and working committees to ensure that the interests of northern First Nation members are effectively represented. In May 2002, the MKO Chiefs in Assembly gave direction to establish the Northern Authority (Resolution #2002-05-02).

In August 2002, the Northern Authority was officially incorporated. The Northern Authority is developing a strategic plan which outlines how it will be structured to provide direction, coordination and support to the northern First Nations child and family services agencies.

In June 2002, an interim board of directors was appointed for the purposes of incorporation as directed by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly (Resolution #2002-05-02). Its members include the chairpersons or representatives of the five (5) northern First Nations child and family services agencies. In May 2003, as directed by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly (Resolution #2003-05-#2) a new five (5) member board of directors is to be appointed by the MKO Executive Council prior to proclamation of the CFSAA.

Child and Family Services Jurisdiction Project

MKO is leading FAI negotiations on an Agreement in Principal Process with the federal government to set parameters and understandings for restoration of First Nation jurisdictions in the area of child an family services. We are targeting March for a finalized AIP. The FAI agreement itself will be up for renewal in 2004.

Difficult issues remain to be addressed. Federal positions on application of the Charter of Rights are not acceptable. Manitoba's Cabinet has no mandate to support federal positions on provincial participation. Federal positions on aggregation of First Nation jurisdiction under one law are not within MKO's mandate.

CFS MOU Process

Work continues on under the CFS MOU with Manitoba to develop MKO First Nation administrative capacity and authorities to provide child and family services to citizens throughout the province. We have established a Northern CFS Authority accountable to leadership. CEO and research and policy staff are hired. Work is under way with the five northern agencies to design optimal service delivery.

New provincial legislation passed to recognize our authorities may be proclaimed as early as September 2003. We face a tight time frame and a complex undertaking.

MKO Repatriation Program

The Manitoba First Nation Repatriation Program separated in 1998 to create a southern and northern Repatriation Program. The Northern Child and Family Agencies decided to pool their funding and develop their own Repatriation services through MKO.

A working group was established to oversee and provide direction to the Repatriation Program. Together they have developed three training packages for the Community Repatriation Workers. Two of four training sessions have taken place, with eleven trainees from the Awasis Agency, and eleven trainees from Island Lake Family Services. The next two training sessions will be in Norway House and Opaskwayak.

Reunions continue to occur in our communities, however due to funding being cut from DIAND as at March 31, 2003, the funding for these services will soon be depleted.

Staff are currently working on alternative funding requests for this program through FNIHB and other funding agencies. Several issues have been identified by Repatriated families, such as the need for further post repatriation counselling and health services. These services can be identified as Health needs. There is also the need for continuing the search for those adoptees not found yet.

In closing, we are urging our First Nations to continue to support the program for these services, and our continued search for our lost children.

Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative

The Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative (AJI-CWI) is an initiative to restructure the child and family services system in Manitoba. The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Manitoba Metis Federation, and the Province of Manitoba have worked together to develop a new system that recognizes cultural differences and returns to First Nations and Metis peoples the right to develop and control the delivery of our own child and family services.

In the new system, the delivery of child and family services will be much more of a shared responsibility between the Province and Aboriginal peoples. The most fundamental change will be the delegation of responsibility for the delivery of child and family services from the Province to four new child and family services Authorities, including the First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority.

All four Authorities and their agencies will provide services throughout the province. Aboriginal children and families will have access to child and family services under the auspices of Aboriginal agencies, regardless of their residence in Manitoba.

The Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) is a "rolling document" the provides the comprehensive framework for planning and implementing the new system. The understanding that the DIP is a "rolling document" acknowledges that it will need to be amended from time to time to reflect changing circumstances. Any changes or amendments are to be made through consensus among the four partners.

The AJI-CWI is a five phase plan. Currently, we are in Phase 4, from February 2003 to March 2004. During this period, the DIP is being implemented. In Phase 5, from April 2004 to October 2004, there will be a stabilization of the changes implemented.