The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Legislation that paves the way for a new child and family services system that is more responsive to the needs of First Nations and Metis peoples has been proclaimed, Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick has announced. The new Child and Family Services Authorities Act is an essential part of the major restructuring of Manitoba's child and family services system. The legislation creates four new child and family services authorities, three Aboriginal and one general authority, to manage delivery of services under the restructured system. "This legislation is unprecedented in Canada and means culturally appropriate services can now be provided for children and families in Manitoba, which was a key recommendation of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI)," said Melnick. "We are grateful for the leading role our First Nations and Metis partners have played as we developed this important legislation and we are pleased it received unanimous support in the Manitoba legislature." The historic process of changing the system was led by the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative (AJI-CWI), which included representatives of the provincial government, the Manitoba Metis Federation, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. This initiative, along with child and family services representatives, examined ways to address the child welfare recommendations of the AJI report, as recommended by the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry Commission. Manitobans also provided input on the restructuring of the child and family services system, based on a vision document called Promise of Hope: Commitment to Change. Over 1,000 people provided comments during public consultations held across the province in 2001. "We are pleased to be able to lay the groundwork for improvements to the child and family services system," said Oscar Lathlin, minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs. "The changes recognize the right of First Nations and Metis people to control their own child and family services and make the system more responsive to the needs of all Manitobans." The four new authorities created through this new act are: - the Metis Child and Family Services Authority; - the First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority; - the First Nations of Southern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority; and - the General Child and Family Services Authority. The four authorities will now begin the day-to-day work to ensure children are protected and that children and families receive services in a timely and efficient way. There are 18 agencies throughout Manitoba that will deliver services on behalf of the four new authorities. Caseloads, resources and assets are now beginning to be transferred to the most culturally appropriate authority and their respective agencies. This means First Nations and Metis children and families will have access to services through the new agencies, no matter where they live in Manitoba. Foster families can now decide which agency they will work with when applying for a licence. See 'Historic' P.# Con't from P.# These transfers are being done on a region-by-region basis and are expected to be completed in late 2004. The process is beginning in the Interlake Region where the First Nations agencies Peguis, Intertribal and Anishinaabe Child and Family Services will begin to receive case transfers. "Today is a proud and historic day for Metis people, not only in Manitoba but across our nation," said David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. "Decision-making responsibility for child and family services is now placed in the hands of Metis people, for Metis people. The Metis Child and Family Services Authority will ensure services are delivered in a way that respects and honours our distinct culture and will follow our philosophy that families are to be treated with dignity, respect and understanding." "This proclamation is a monumental accomplishment by all parties in achieving a recognition and affirmation of jurisdictional responsibility for our children and their future," said Grand Chief Dennis White Bird of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC). "The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs acknowledges the good will shown by our partners in restoring the right for First Nations in caring for and protecting our children. The injustices created by the '60s scoop' are now finally being addressed through the success of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative." "We view this act as a way to ensure that our children are cared for in a manner that reflects our culture, traditions and philosophy," said Dr. Sydney Garrioch, grand chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. "As we move forward down this path, let us always remember that it is the love we have for our children, families and communities that will make this legislation work." There are approximately 15,000 families, provincewide, receiving services through the child and family services system.
