'The cycle has been broken:' Manitoba First Nation signs child welfare agreement
Peguis First Nation celebrated a historic moment Tuesday as it became the first Indigenous community in Manitoba to take control of child welfare under federal legislation that came into effect three years ago.
The First Nation was joined by federal Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires in the signing of a co-ordination agreement between the three governments.
"The cycle has been broken now. It's our care that is going to be provided, and that is something that we haven't had in a long time," Peguis First Nation Chief Glenn Hudson said after the ceremony.
The First Nation is one of just over two dozen communities that have notified Indigenous Services Canada that they intend to handle their own child and family services as outlined in the federal Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families.
Elders and knowledge keepers sat on rugs made out of bison fur in the middle of the room. Ceremonial tools were used to conduct a pipe and water ceremony to start off the day.
The community requested the agreement in 2021. Under the federal legislation, the First Nation's own law came into effect one year ago, but the province did not sign on at the time.
This is the first time Manitoba has signed such an agreement, after it previously expressed concerns about the legislation.
"I know this process wasn't quick, but we are here now. The very first in Manitoba to undertake legislation and honour our children and families," said Hudson. "It's long overdue."
Under Peguis First Nation's law, its members across the country will have access to prevention services. The legislation has a focus on prevention so families can receive support to remain together.
Peguis will assume jurisdiction of intake services, child abuse investigations, after-hours services and early intervention services for members who reside off and on reserve. As part of the agreement, if another agency becomes involved with a child, youth or family from the community, it must notify Peguis Child and Family Services.
The agreement includes a three-year, $319-million commitment from the federal government to fund all aspects of child and family services.
"It's expensive to keep families together, but what's more expensive are families that fall apart," said Hajdu.
"This is actually the prevention that communities across the country need to keep families intact. That's how we're going to turn the tables on some of those significant struggles that communities are facing across the country."
Indigenous children and youth are vastly overrepresented in the child welfare system in Manitoba and across the country.
Some have called the current system the "Millennium Scoop" in reference to the '60s Scoop, the practice of removing Indigenous children from their parents at birth.
Interactions with the child welfare system have been linked to the high number of Indigenous people who have been involved with the justice system, addictions, mental health issues and homelessness.
Hudson said gaining control means children who end up getting involved with the system will still have access to their culture and their community while their parents get support.
Peguis has seen success since its law came into effect last year. At that time, there were more than 250 members in care, and since then about 100 of them have been transferred back to the First Nation, said Clemene Hornbrook, executive director of Peguis Child and Family Services.
She added the agency has prevented about 60 children from entering care.
"We are not taking our families or our children to court. We are sitting with our elders and we are implementing our traditional ways and practices as we deliver services to our members," said Hornbrook.
The province said it will still provide money allotted to Peguis before the agreement was signed. Manitoba is also working with several other Indigenous groups that are exercising their jurisdiction.
"We're really looking forward to working with them as a province to ensure that the child welfare system is truly transformed," said Squires.
Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan was the first group in Canada to take over child welfare in July 2021.
Peguis is the third Indigenous group to sign a co-ordination agreement with provincial and federal governments.
"We work at the speed of First Nations. This is not a colonial imposition of a new system. This is about providing the sufficient resources so that First Nations can take back that authority," said Hajdu.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.