October 12, 2000
Aboriginal Child and Family Service Transition Process Underway
Aboriginal Child and Family Service Transition Process Underway- - -
First Nations, Metis and Province Restructuring Child and Family Services Delivery Steady progress is being made on a common process to restructure child and family service delivery in Manitoba, provincial government, Metis and First Nations leaders said today at the first major training and transition session for the participants. At the end of the process, three distinct mandates will emerge: a First Nations mandate, a Metis mandate and a non-Aboriginal mandate. The distinct mandates will recognize unique cultures and traditions and at the same time include many common approaches to operating provincewide systems.
"Our government has lived up to the commitment we made to Metis and First Nations people to devolve control of the delivery of child and family services in a manner consistent with their cultural traditions and beliefs," said Tim Sale, minister of family services and housing. "We have seen a tremendous amount of co-operation as the restructuring process rolls out, and it will require continued goodwill to complete the transition."
"I am encouraged by the progress made to date as we move closer to the reality of child and family services systems that recognize the needs of the people they are intended to help," said Eric Robinson, minister of aboriginal and northern affairs. "Metis and First Nations people will see their dreams of an improved system come true as Manitoba continues to be a leader in developing culturally appropriate models."
"First, I want to thank the province, and in particular Minister Sale, for his bold decision to proceed on the road to a Metis mandate for our own child and family agencies," said MMF President David Chartrand. "I want to say to Minister Sale and his government that we will match his efforts in building this system with bold initiatives that will serve to protect our most valued resource, our families and our children."
"Our children are gifts from the Creator and our most cherished responsibility," said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Dennis White Bird. "This process will begin to restore the rightful jurisdiction over First Nations children to the proper authority-First Nations people themselves."
"This is a momentous occasion for the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) First Nations," said Grand Chief Francis Flett. "The memorandum of understanding on child and family services will not only make history but, this agreed upon process will honour the lives of our children and their children."
A Joint Management Committee (JMC) is conducting the day-to-day business of creating the new service delivery systems. Seven working groups are examining the process in the areas of research, inter-jurisdictional/inter-sectoral issues, finance, human resources, service delivery, legal and legislative issues and technology. The working groups are to report back by Dec. 21, 2000. The development of a comprehensive implementation plan will lead to mandated Metis and First Nations child and family agencies delivering a full range of services provincewide under the Child and Family Services Act and the Adoption Act.
Earlier this year, the province signed an individual memorandum of understanding with the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), and the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) representing 27 northern First Nations communities.
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BACKGROUND
Restructuring Child and Family Services Delivery in Manitoba Over a six-month period in 2000, the provincial government honoured a commitment to establish a process to implement changes in the delivery of child and family services programs in Manitoba, based on the Child Welfare Recommendations of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry report. Separate agreements with the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), in the form of memorandums of understanding, state that locally developed solutions are the most effective and practical approach to ensuring self-determination and healthy communities.
Chronology February 22, 2000 - the Manitoba Metis Federation signs a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Manitoba creating a unique, mandated Metis child and family services system, the first of its kind in Canada. Metis people would now have a process leading to the delivery of services under the Child and Family Services Act, as well as adoption services under the Adoption Act.
The agreement recognizes that Metis people are entitled to develop effective, community-based child and family services which reflect their unique status, as well as their cultural and linguistic heritage. April 27, 2000 - the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs signs a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Manitoba expanding the on-reserve delivery of child and family services to First Nations people living outside of their communities. In this MOU, the AMC signed on behalf of 36 southern First Nations communities.
July 20, 2000 - The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak signs a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Manitoba expanding the on-reserve delivery of child and family services to First Nations people living outside their communities. Within MKO territory, there are four First Nations agencies that provide services to 27 northern MKO First Nations communities.