CFS System Reform

The KTC C.24 (Bill C-92) Project is a vital initiative aimed at reforming the Child and Family Services (CFS) system to reflect the traditional values and practices of the KTC Nations.

The KTC C.24 (Bill C-92) Project is a vital initiative aimed at reforming the current Child and Family Services (CFS) system in alignment with the KTC Nations' traditional values and practices. The reform is driven by the recognition that the current system, rooted in colonial structures, has done substantial harm to Indigenous families and children. The goal is to establish a system that reflects the KTC Nations' Creator-given inherent right to self-governance and jurisdiction over Child and Family Matters.

Key objectives of this project include:

Revitalize Indigenous Approaches: Return to traditional customs where the entire community is responsible for caring for children, instead of relying on the colonial child welfare system.
Empower Nations: Reinforce the KTC Nations' right to self-governance, ensuring that the laws, policies, and services reflect their cultural practices and teachings.
Affirm Inherent Rights: Affirm and protect the right of the KTC Nations to govern matters related to their children and families, grounded in their spiritual and cultural traditions.

Revitalize the empowerment of our people

Reafirm our Nation's laws towards caring for our children and families

This reform initiative is being carried out through extensive collaboration with the KTC Nations. Community input, recommendations, and guidance are being gathered through a variety of engagement activities, such as:

Steering and Elders Advisory Committees: These committees help guide the law creation process.
Elder Language Speaker Sessions: These sessions involve sharing traditional knowledge and values related to child-rearing and family care.
Community Information Sessions: Events where community members are kept informed and consulted on progress and developments.
Activities, Sharing Circles, Conferences, Gatherings, and Retreats: Various forms of engagement are being used to ensure wide participation and input from the community.

Areas of focus for the reform

The project will develop several key components to create a self-determined and culturally appropriate CFS system:

KTC CFS Law: Establish a legal framework rooted in the KTC Nations' values and traditions to guide child and family welfare services.
Regulations and Policies: Create regulations and policies that guide CFS operations, ensuring they are in line with the Nations' self-government rights and community needs.
Service Delivery Model: Develop a model for delivering CFS services that reflect the cultural, spiritual, and practical needs of the communities, ensuring services are community-driven and aligned with traditional practices.
Transition Service Delivery Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan to transition from the colonial child welfare system to the new, community-led system of care.
Agency Service Provider: Create or identify an agency that can provide the necessary services in alignment with the new CFS system, including culturally appropriate support for children and families.

Community CFS Committees: Establish community-based committees to provide oversight, input, and guidance on CFS operations, ensuring decisions are locally driven and culturally relevant.
Advocacy Office: Establish an advocacy office to support children and families, ensuring their voices are heard and that they have access to resources and support throughout the process.
Tribunal Office: Create a tribunal system that allows families to address disputes or concerns related to CFS in a culturally sensitive manner, with a focus on healing and restoration.
Indigenous Governing Body: Establish an Indigenous Governing Body office responsible for overseeing agency services, providing agency training, ensuring quality assurance, collecting data, managing funding and reporting, supporting capacity building, and other related functions.

3-5 years

Multi-year phased project plan

To ensure that we provide as much opportunities as possible for Nation members to provide input and recommendations throughout this process, we are utilizing a multi-year, phased project plan.

The KTC C.24 (Bill C-92) Project Plan outlines a comprehensive approach to the implementation of child and family services reform over the next 3 to 5 years. Rooted in the principles of self-determination, language and cultural preservation, this initiative aims to create a sustainable and community-led system that reflects the unique needs and traditions of the Nations we serve.

By following this phased approach, the KTC C.24 initiative aims to address historical inequities and foster a future where children, families, and communities thrive under systems designed for and by them.

Phase 1 - Foundational/Technical

Research of Nations history, cultural practices and traditions, agency relations, formation/ selection/ training of staff, Steering Committee and Elder Advisory selection and formation, Engagement of legal counsel and initial legislation planning with Committee and Elder Advisory, Community engagement sessions which includes a large conference, community sessions, information sharing through attendance at other community events

Phase 2 - Engagement/Evaluation

Ongoing activities from Phase 2, ongoing research of Nations history, cultural practices and traditions, assess and evaluate project activities, deliverables and milestones, increased community and stakeholder engagement sessions to gather input and recommendations from members, Committee/Elder Advisory monthly sessions to continue working on drafting legislation, Leadership Summit to report on project and provide information from stakeholders.

Phase 3 - Engagement/Drafting

Ongoing engagement activities from Phase 1 and 2, community sessions, assessment and evaluation of project deliverables and milestones, increase emphasis on writing and completing draft legislation, continued emphasis on informing Nation leadership and members on project, presentation of draft law to leadership and Nation Members, professional consultation to develop policies, procedures and service delivery models, development of Governance structure, agency/service provider, advocacy office, tribunal office, Training/cohort program, determine financial requirements to deliver services

Phase 4 - Ratification/Transition

Finalize of draft law, regulations, policy, and so on, send notice to government, coordination agreement discussions with federal and provincial government, planning and preparation for individual Nation and all Nation ratification activities/ceremonies, begin transition plan to implementation of the new law.

Phase 5 - Transition/Implementation

Ongoing implementation of KTC Family Law, establishment of agency/service provider, community Family Law committees, advocacy office, tribunal office, capital projects.

11 member First Nations

Communities we support

The Keewatin Tribal Council consists of the following member First Nations:

Barren Lands (Brochet), Fox Lake (Bird), Mantou Sakahigan God's Lake, Manto Sipi (God's River), Northlands (Lac Brochet), Bunibonibee (Oxford House), Sayisi Dene (Tadoule Lake), Tataskweyak (Split Lake), Shamattawa First Nation, War Lake (Ilford) and York Factory (York Landing).

The 11 First Nations collectively have a population of approximately 20,000 members.

Working together

Let's work together to build a stronger, brighter future for our children and families.

Our team is dedicated to keeping all members well-informed throughout this process. We understand the impact this project has on the lives of many, and we are committed to providing regular updates, addressing concerns, and ensuring that everyone is engaged as we move forward together.

News

Stay connected

More News

Tansi, KTC is excited to announce that after 2.5 years of intensive meetings and engagement activities, a Draft Family Law is ready for presentation to KTC Nation members.

November 21, 2024

November 26, 2024 in Churchill and November 28, 2024 in Thompson.

Supreme Court declares Indigenous child welfare law constitutional

February 9, 2024

Indigenous groups laud decision dismissing Quebec's challenge to the legislation

Ainfo@ktc.ca x431-222-3045

Keewatin Tribal Council CFS C.24 (Bill C-92)