How Child and Family Services in organized in Manitoba

The responsibilities of child and family services are split jointly between the province and aboriginal people.

There are four authorities that govern a total of 18 agencies providing services in Winnipeg and surrounding areas including:

The Métis Authority, which includes:

Métis Child, Family and Community Services

The Southern First Nations Authority, which includes:

Anishinaabe Child and Family Services

Dakota Ojibiway Child and Family Services

Intertribal Child and Family Services

Peguis Child and Family Services

Sagkeeng Child and Family Services

Southeast Child and Family Services

West Region Child and Family Services

New Agency (outzofzprovince clients)

The Northern First Nations Authority, which includes:

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba

Cree Nation Child and Family Caring Agency

Island Lake First Nation Family Services

Kinosao Sipi Minisowin Agency

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Family and Community Wellness Centre

General Authority, which includes:

Jewish Child and Family Service

Rural and Northern Services -- Eastman

Rural and Northern Services -- Interlake

Winnipeg Child and Family Services

In the case of aboriginal children, kids who leave reserves are still under the jurisdiction of that reserve regardless of where they live.

Why do aboriginal children stay under the jurisdiction of their reserve?

In the past, aboriginal children who left their reserves fell under the jurisdiction of child and family services in Manitoba. But the aboriginal community felt they should still be responsible for aboriginal children, no matter where they lived. In 2003, the Child and Family Services Authorities Act was passed, dividing child and family services into the four authorities and 18 agencies listed above. Those agencies are responsible for aboriginal children who may be from a reserve but not necessarily reside there. The General Authority is responsible for non-aboriginal children.

What are their responsibilities?

Child and Family Services Agencies are responsible for numerous things including child protection, children in care, family support, special-needs children, adoption, abuse, foster parenting and repatriation.

How many kids are in care in Manitoba?

7,241: Total in the province of Manitoba as of March 31

1,786: Total in the care of the Northern First Nations Authority

3,263: Total in the care of the Southern First Nations Authority

1,618: Total in the care of the General Authority

574: Total in the care of the Métis Authority

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 25, 2007 $sourceSection$sourcePage