ALIGN Updates
ALIGN Blog April 15, 2024 Understanding C-92: Empowering Indigenous Communities in Alberta
Please join us for the fourth 1-day Summit, Walking the Children Home Together, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Calgary. The day is intended to provide space for collaborative discussions between Nations and Agency providers in Alberta to support a positive transition with the Federal Act (bill C-92), An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth, and families. The wonderful thing about our ‘steps’ on this journey is anyone can join at any time. If you were unable to attend the earlier steps, please still join us on this path. We would love to have you included on this journey. Register Here
ALIGN & PolicyWise – Measuring Child Well-being Report 2024
ALIGN INDIGENOUS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING FRAMEWORK (ICUF)
Video – Chief Delorme Presentation Cowessess First Nation Miyo Pimatisowin Act & Coordination Agreement ALIGN AGM October 2021
SECTOR RESOURCES
News Release The Supreme Court of Canada Upholds The Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families – Indigenous Child and Family Services Directors Our Children, Our Way Feb 9, 2024 (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – The First Nations Leadership Council and the Our Children Our Way Society welcome and applaud today’s Supreme Court decision which represents a giant leap forward in the implementation of Indigenous jurisdiction over children and families… Read Full Release
Case in Brief
Reference re An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The Supreme Court upholds the constitutionality of a federal statute affirming Indigenous peoples’ right of self‑government with respect to child and family services… Read Full Brief
Based on Chapter 30 of the Constitution, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution will come into force and effect “on the date set for the first general election of the Métis Nation of Alberta Association,” which will be held in September 2023.The MNA’s constitution will open doors with both Canada and Alberta, including:
- a new fiscal relationship with Canada to finally provide Métis-designed supports to our citizens in health, housing, language, education, training, economic development, and justice; and,
- improve the services MNA provides to Métis in Alberta including mental health, supporting those with disabilities, delivering culturally appropriate child and family services, and caring for our elders when they can no longer take care of themselves.
Capacity-building funding for An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth
and families
Supports the implementation of an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, As part of the Government of Canada’s funding commitment to support t he implementation of the act, funding is available to support Indigenous groups, communities and peoples and their Indigenous governing body wishing to: explore readiness to exercise jurisdiction develop Indigenous child and family service legislation, systems, and programs prior to entering into coordination agreement discussions
Applications Open Ongoing
Three nations in northern Alberta have signed a “historic agreement” with Canada and Alberta that will have them run their own child and family services. Government of Canada Founding First Nations, Canada and Alberta sign a historic agreement to support First Nations child and family well-being services April 2023 This coordination agreement sets out how all parties will work together, including roles and responsibilities, processes and coordination of services. This will ensure a smooth and effective transfer to the Founding First Nation jurisdiction, governed by Awaśak Wiyasiwêwin. The associated fiscal agreement establishes funding from the federal government to ensure that the necessary financial resources are in place. Over the next five years, the agreement will transfer $149.4 million from the federal government to the FFNs to support their law implementation. Read Full
University of Calgary Faculty of Law – Is the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families Constitutional? April 28, 2022 by Robert Hamilton
Although it has faced thoughtful and considered criticism, it is clear the Act seeks to substantially change how child and family services are provided and to transition the governance and regulation of those services to Indigenous peoples… Read Full
How Indigenous people are rebuilding child welfare to lift up the whole family CBC Radio March 1, 2022 Cowessess First Nation putting culture, community at centre of new family welfare system…
Bill C-92 Compliance Guide for Social Workers and Service Providers WAHKOHTOWIN Law & Governance Lodge January 2022
The National Standards map on to Indigenous led and evidence-based best practices already in the child protection field. The best interests of the child is still the primary consideration for decision-making but requires a different approach. It includes the importance of ongoing relationships for Indigenous children and should be considered in light of the cultural continuity and substantive equality principles…View Full PDF Here
Government of Canada
Funding for capital assets: Jordan’s Principle and First Nations child and family services.
Reducing the number of Indigenous children in care
Executive Summary of Agreement-in-Principle on Long-Term Reform
Capacity-building funding for An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
Through the July 2020 Economic and Fiscal Snapshot, the Government of Canada has committed over $542 million over five years, starting in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, to Protocol regarding An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families in relation to the Assembly of First Nations support the implementation of an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, which came into force on January 1, 2020. The act enables Indigenous groups, communities or peoples that hold rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act,1982 (thereafter referred to as “Indigenous groups, communities or peoples”) to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services.Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) recognizes that not all Indigenous groups, communities or peoples have the same readiness or resources to exercise jurisdiction under the act. As part of the Government of Canada’s funding commitment to support the implementation of the act, funding is available to support Indigenous groups, communities and peoples and their Indigenous governing body wishing to:
- explore readiness to exercise jurisdiction
- develop Indigenous child and family service legislation, systems, and programs prior to entering into coordination agreement discussions
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
C-92 Online Training: Federal Act for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families
The focus of this course will be on familiarizing participants with the new federal legislation. The training will also help participants to think through jurisdictional implications, necessary changes to their practices and ways to successfully interpret and implement the new legislation. This training is highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the new Act, how it affects child and family services provision, Nationally and Provincially, and how it can be applied to improve and increase supports to Indigenous children, families and communities.
Assembly of First Nations Videos & Resources from the Our Children, Our Future, Virtual Leadership Gathering on First Nations Child and Family Services and Self Determination
Learn about the new Indigenous child and family services legislation. Hear dialogue amongst First Nations, service providers and government officials about the Act, priorities for First Nations implementing the Act, and the changes that come with implementation. Hear input from our Elders and former First Nations Youth in Care on systemic reforms needed. Shared emerging promising practices from First Nations implementing the Act. Understand the new tools for First Nations children, youth and communities to support the best interests of the child. Funding not-for-profits to support Alberta’s recovery
Cowessess First Nation Miyo Pimatisowin Act
Cowessess First Nation July 5, 2021 Miyo Pimatisowin Act Coordination Agreement Ceremony & Signing
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau – New support for child and family services in Cowessess First Nation July 2021 The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, the Premier of Saskatchewan, Scott Moe, and the Chief of Cowessess First Nation, Cadmus Delorme, today announced that the first Coordination Agreement under the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families has been signed with Cowessess First Nation – Treaty 4 Territory – and the Province of Saskatchewan. Read Full
- Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
- Reducing the number of Indigenous children in care
- Notices and requests related to An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
- More support to advance reform of services for Indigenous children and families
- Budget 2
- 021: Strong Indigenous Communities
WoW Guide Nlaka’pamus Nation Tribal Council Second Addition Wrapping Our Ways Around Them Indigenous Communities and Child Welfare Guidebook. The intention is to have child welfare agencies and societies understand, respect and honour the experience of indigenous peoples from an intergenerational trauma lens to better support the act. Nlaka’pamus Nation Tribal Council Second Addition WRAPPING OUR WAYS is intended to be a resource that empowers Indigenous Nation and community involvement in caring for Indigenous children. It provides advice to lawyers, judges, children, families, community members and social work teams.
Protocol regarding An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
University of Alberta – Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge
The Wahkohtowin Lodge responds to the expressed needs of Indigenous communities and organizations who want effective strategies to identify, rebuild and develop law and governance structures that resonate within their own legal and governance traditions. Specifically, this resource has a wealth of information and updates on Bill C-92.
