Empowering Futures: A Gathering for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty – Treaty 7 Edition
📅 February 27, 2025 | 📍 Calgary, Alberta
With the first five Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) focused on improving the well-being of Indigenous children and families, this event continues the critical work of addressing systemic barriers while fostering meaningful partnerships. The discussions will integrate the latest developments surrounding Bill C-92, including policy shifts, legal challenges, and community-led assertions of jurisdiction across the country. We will examine the successes, setbacks, and lessons learned from those who are navigating and implementing child welfare jurisdiction within their Nations.
Building on the Edmonton Gathering: Expanding the Dialogue
The first event in Edmonton revealed the power of shared stories—successes, challenges, and innovative approaches to Indigenous-led child welfare. Key takeaways emphasized the need to build upon mutual strengths, learn from non-Indigenous governance models to strengthen Indigenous approaches, and apply Two-Eyed Seeing to create sustainable, culturally grounded child welfare systems.
In Calgary, we will deepen the conversation by further exploring four essential themes:
🔹 Business Planning & Strategy Development – Strengthening the operational foundations for self-determined child welfare systems.
🔹 Financial Management – Developing sustainable funding models and financial structures that support long-term success.
🔹 Governance & Leadership – Understanding the governance frameworks necessary to assert and maintain jurisdiction over child welfare, while fostering strong, ethical leadership.
🔹 Cultural Revitalization & Community Engagement – Ensuring that Indigenous knowledge, values, and traditions remain at the heart of child welfare approaches, empowering families and communities to lead the way.
A Collaborative Space with Urgency
This gathering is not just a discussion—it is a call to action. While collaboration is key, urgency is essential. Indigenous children and families cannot wait for slow-moving policy shifts; solutions must be developed now. This event will be a space to learn, strategize, and forge new paths forward—together.
By fostering partnerships and shared learning, we aim to create an environment where Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants can engage in meaningful dialogue, co-develop solutions, and support each other in the collective goal of ensuring Indigenous children grow up in their cultures, languages, and communities.
Join us in Calgary as we build on momentum, strengthen networks, and take decisive steps toward true sovereignty in Indigenous child welfare / wellbeing