Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs First Nations Child and Family Matters Presentation for the AMC 30th Annual General Assembly July 18-19, 2018
Expanded AMC Women’s Council Mandate and Grandmother’s Council • April 2017 Chiefs Assembly on CFS. • AMC Women’s Council received expanded mandate. • AMC Constitution amended to include change First Nations Women’s Committee to Women’s Council and to include a Grandmothers Council. • Women’s Council working closely with Advocate Office on Child and Family Matters File. • Grandmothers’ Council membership and Terms of Reference being developed. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 2
Child and Family Matters Mandates • Chiefs-in-Assembly trusted us with their important work. • Taking grassroots citizens’ voices to Ottawa. • Move on long-standing AMC mandates. • Encourage and protect teamwork. • Our children are waiting for us to find solutions. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 3
Keewaywin Engagement • Keewaywin Engagement: Manitoba First Nations Child and Family Services Reform began in December 2016. • Engagement in partnership with Canada as part of Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling to reform the First Nations CFS program. • 23 community engagements, several town halls to hear from grassroots about First Nation-led reform options. • Recommendations inform and guide our work today. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 4
Federal and Provincial Government Reform Plans • Federal and provincial governments release their intentions for child welfare reform. • Federal government’s reform plans align with historic and present AMC resolutions to see First Nations’ jurisdiction over child and family matters realized. • Provincial government’s child welfare reform plans required numerous measured responses to ensure we were informed about implications of reform plans in our lives. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 5
AMC-Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Child Welfare • November 2017, AMC Chiefs-in-Assembly endorsed an MOU on Child Welfare between the AMC and Canada. • AMC Secretariat mandated to develop collaborative agenda, work plan and budget to transform the child welfare system. • Continue pursuing long-standing AMC mandates to return First Nation child welfare jurisdiction to Manitoba First Nations. • MOU signed on December 7, 2017, in Ottawa, ON. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 6
Federal Government’s Child Welfare Emergency Meeting and Reform Plan • January 2018, federal government two-day child welfare emergency meeting; reform plans announced. • Reform plans support the AMC-Canada MOU on child welfare. • Drawing down jurisdiction and exploring the potential to co- develop federal child welfare legislation. • Opportunity to develop First Nations system reflective of traditional laws for child and family welfare. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 7
Southeast CFS Audit • December 2017 began with plans for a file-by-file audit of CFS agencies. • Partnered with Southeast CFS to examine case files and send children home. • Many successful family reunifications in a very short time. • Audit work continues in 2018 with Southeast CFS and other potential agencies. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 8
Office of the Auditor General of Canada • January 2018, First Nations Family Advocate met with the OAG of Canada to inform CFS reform. • Reform must include voices of those affected by system flaws. • OAG commitment that our voices have been heard. • OAG met with families in Sharing Circle. • Families successfully reunited bravely and honestly shared about their struggles with CFS system. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 9
Emergency Meeting on Child Welfare • March 2018, Chiefs’ two -day emergency meeting on CFS a response to province’s unilateral reform initiatives. • Setting the Foundation for Change: A Strategy Towards First Nations’ Jurisdiction of Child Welfare in Manitoba and a draft MOU work plan. • Declaration of Principles on Inherent Sovereignty and Responsibility Over Our Own Children — a collective position that advances First Nations’ jurisdiction in the area of children and families. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 10
Manitoba Chiefs’ Vision • Manitoba’s CFS system must undergo deep changes. • First Nations’ best interests must take precedence amidst provincial and federal government CFS reform plans. • Vision of the Manitoba Chiefs to Bring Our Children Home included the creation of the First Nations Family Advocate Office. • Advocate Office is a one-of-a-kind organization that represents grassroots voice. • Advocate Office has important role in continuing to make sure grassroots’ voice truly represented. Child and Family Matters Update 30th AMC AGA 11
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