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First Nations child welfare reform lauded

'A huge step in the right direction'

By: Larry Kusch

Posted: 07/20/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A new federal approach to First Nations child welfare services, emphasizing prevention over the apprehension and dislocation of children, is getting a general thumbs-up.

Ottawa officially unveiled its five-year, $177-million Manitoba initiative on Monday after details were reported in Monday's Free Press.

"This is momentous. This is a huge step in the right direction," said Bonnie Kocsis, Manitoba's acting children's advocate.

Kocsis said the new approach to First Nations child and family services will help make families and communities stronger, as parents get more support and children receive better care. "This is huge," she said.

The new initiative, several years in the making, will put Manitoba First Nations child and welfare services on par with those off reserve, said Family Services Minister Gord Mackintosh.

"I can't state clearly enough how this is an historic day for Manitoba children," he said. "Today rectifies decades of inequality in how we support Manitoba children."

On a practical level, it will allow CFS agencies operating in First Nations to intervene when there are early signs of family breakdown or child neglect. Parents may receive such support as addictions treatment and parenting classes.

Ottawa has already launched similar initiatives in five other provinces, beginning with Alberta in 2007. It had been under increasing criticism for providing less CFS funding to First Nations than provincial governments were giving to other Canadians.

Marie Lands, CEO of the First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority, said the new funding will mean dozens of new staffing positions for overburdened child welfare agencies. For instance, The Pas-based Cree Nation Child and Family Caring Agency, which services seven northern First Nations, is in line for 43 new staff, she said.

"This is really going to help," she said, noting Cree Nation now has about 640 children in care. "They (staff) will be able to assess the work required (with families) before an actual crisis occurs."

Chief Betsy Kennedy of War Lake First Nation, an hour south of Gillam by rail, said the new approach should make First Nations families less fearful of CFS workers -- seeing them as more than people who simply take away their children.

"It will bring a change in the way we view child and family services," she said.

While provincial CFS funding flows through child welfare authorities, the federal funds will be paid directly to First Nations agencies. Ottawa said it will ensure the agencies are accountable for the money they receive, requiring annual reports measuring results against set goals and expectations.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 20, 2010 A7

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