Background:

October, 2022 – Jurisdiction Working Group established;  members –  initially consisted of Councillors Reynold Cook, Myrtle Bilow and Caroline Quill, Researchers Sherry Gott and Diane Genaile;  Currently – Reynold Cook, Myrtle Bilow, Fred Stevens & Diane Genaille, and Tina Cook-Martin

 January, 2020 – Federal government passed “An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families” – The Federal Act became law, and came into force.  Federal government, through Indigenous Services Canada subsequently sent out a call for proposals for Capacity Building Funding, as $520M  had been committed starting FY 2020-2021 for five years.  Each First Nation could decide if their leadership and community wanted to move forward in asserting jurisdiction over child and family services, and to apply for the funding.

 The Federal Act is meant to be used as a guide, as each First Nation could decide which level of services the community will develop for themselves.

 In 2022, Chief and Council held a public meeting, along with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Child Welfare Secretariat, and membership directed Chief and Council to move forward in taking over our own Child and Family Services.

 November 2022, Council met with and directed MKO CW Secretariat to submit the proposal for funding in the amount of $550,000.

 January, 2023, the proposal was approved for FY 2022-2023, and FY 2023-24..  This funding is to be utilised for Capacity Building, engaging on and off reserve membership to assist in the development of our own “family 

 Status of Activities:

During FY 2022-2023 – 8 information sessions were held with SCN focus groups/community collaters;

• 5 engagement sessions were held with the focus groups on & off reserve;
• 2 strategic/planning sessions with leadership;
• 2 training sessions with 2 other First Nations;
• 1 information/engagement session with 47 elders/knowledge keepers

During FY 2023-2024 – 5 engagement sessions with off-reserve;

• 9 Elders/knowledge keepers at Treaty 4 Gathering
• 4 Elders/knowledge keepers off reserve and 2 on reserve
• 2 meetings with legal counsel
• 3 meetings with consultants
• 5 meetings with other service providers (for research purposes)

 Key Issues and Challenges

Poor attendance for off-reserve sessions due to a variety of reasons

Inclement weather

Advertising for off-reserve session was aggressive, but still encountered poor attendance

Scheduling other on and off reserve sessions, but other events take priority

 Moving Forward

FY 2024-2025 funding proposal has been submitted to Indigenous Services Canada for another year of Capacity Building Funding

February, 2024 – retainer agreement was signed with legal counsel, began submitting the “raw data” gathered at engagement sessions – first draft target date:  March, 2025

First draft of “family law” presentation to Chief and Council, followed by meetings with focus groups/community collaterals both on and off reserve for presentation, review and feedback.

Programs and services development – gather experienced child welfare current and past workers (membership) for a strategic planning session with respect to what has been collected from engagement sessions, as to what our traditional service delivery model will look like.  In addition, our working group will begin meetings with our current service provider, Cree Nation Child and Family Caring, to review their financial model, their IT systems, etc, to be used simply, as a guide..                                                                  

Jurisdiction/Capacity Working Group
On behalf of Councillors Reynold Cook, Myrtle Bilow, Fred Stevens; we would like to thank everyone who has participated in our information/engagement sessions and giving us your feedback towards the development of our own “family law” during the past two years.  Eventually, we will have our own Child and Family Services agency on reserve to look after our own families.  There is also a plan to establish satellite offices in major urban centres, but that’s still going to require more strategic planning, more meetings and more consultation in the future.

 In the meantime, we are grateful for your assistance in this very important endeavour as we work towards the well-being of our families,  – Mino Pimatisiwin – the Good Life!.

May Creator bring you many blessings,  Many thanks to everyone!

Diane Genaille                                                                   Tina Cook-Martin

Community Engagement Coordinator                               Policy Analyst

Sapotaweyak Cree Nation                                                  Sapotaweyak Cree Nation