I would like to relay an extremely important development in the area of
First National child and family services. On October 26-27, 1995, over 80
people from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario
met in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Those attending recognised need for a
national First Nations entity that would provide advocacy, professional
development, and networking opportunities for First Nations child and
family service programs. Between now and November 1996, several activities
are projected to occur that would facilitate development of such a national
entity. One of the fundamental concepts that is being adhered to is the
fact that this entity grow from the "grass-roots" and enjoy ownership by
the First Nations communities. As such, lot of work needs to be done to
mobilize communities for child and family service action on the national
level. A Steering Committee has been selected that will facilitate
development of the League.
We are hoping that the League will have close linkages with National Indian
Child Welfare League of America and other fraternal entities.
I am taking the liberty of presenting to all concerned names of the
Steering Committee members, their phone/fax numbers and addresses. Also
attached is "Terms of Reference" document for the Steering Committee. Any
questions, suggestions, critique, vision, wisdom, dream or desire, please
do not hesitate to email me at "zmakdoom@kootenay.awinc.com", or phone or
fax to any of the members listed below. Your leadership will be greatly
appreciated in this wonderful endeavor. Thank you.
Fraternally,
Zahid Makhdoom
______________________________________________________
STEERING COMMITTEE
for
FIRST NATIONS CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF CANADA
(October 27, 1995)
At the National Director's Meeting of First Nations child and family
service agencies need was expressed by the participants for establishment
of a national entity that would advocate for child welfare and family
support issues related to the First Nations. The following people were
selected to form the Steering Committee for the establishment of First
nations Child Welfare League of Canada:
Steering Committee Officers
Collin Rope, Chairperson
(306) 665-1215 voice
(306) 244-4413 fax
Zahid Makhdoom, Vice Chairperson
(604) 489-2464 voice
(604) 489-5760 fax
(604) 489-8981
email: zmakdoom@kootenay.awinc.com
Gina-Potts-Alexis, Secretary/Treasurer
(403) 481-7390 voice
Steering Committee Member Address/Phone/fax
Collin Rope Social Policy Analyst
Health & Social Development Commission
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
#200, 103-A Packham Ave.
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4K4
(306) 665-1215 voice
(306) 244-4413 fax
Gina Potts-Alexis
Yellowhead Tribal Services Agency
Edmonton, AB (403) 481-7390 voice
Lloyd Bunn
Southeast Child and Family Services
Winnipeg, MN
(206) 775-0052 voice
(206) 774-7060 fax
Theresa Stienhauer
Saddle Lake First Nation
Alberta
(800) 396-2167 voice
(403) 726-2020 fax
Thomas Smith Executive Director
Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services
General Delivery
Wikwemikong, ON P0P 2J0 (705) 859-2100 voice
(705) 859-2195 fax
(800) 268-1899 toll free
Zahid Makhdoom Executive Director
Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society
SS#3, Site 15-14, Mission Rd.
Cranbrook, BC V1C 6H3
(604) 489-2464 voice
(604) 489-5760 fax
(604) 489-8981
email: zmakdoom@kootenay.awinc.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR THE
STEERING COMMITTEE
FIRST NATIONS CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF CANADA
(October 27, 1995)
1. Review of the Issue:
A paramount consideration in the provision of child and family
services, including child protective services, is the inherent right of
First Nations in governing and administering such programs. Establishment
of an inviolable jurisdiction over matters pertaining to child and family
support services is one of the vehicles through which First Nations may
exercise their inherent right to self-determination.
The First Nations child and family service agency directors
(hereinafter the Directors) assembled in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on
October 26-27, 1995, are committed to meeting needs of their clients while
adhering to strict standards that are:
a) culturally appropriate and relevant;
b) child centered;
c) geared towards preservation of family while ensuring safety of the
child;
d) community-driven, and;
e) clearly stated.
The Directors recognize need for a national advocacy and professional
entity as well as a national First Nations Child Welfare legislation.
The Directors are mindful of the primacy of communities and their right to
self-determination. Hence, the need for
a) development of the First Nations Child Welfare League of Canada
through a thorough and comprehensive consultative process; and,
b) development of the First Nations Child Welfare Act through
ratification of such legislation by the First Nations governments.
2. Name of the Committee
The name of the committee shall be "First Nations Child Welfare
League of Canada Steering Committee," (hereinafter the Committee).
3. Authority
The Committee derives its authority from participating agencies at
the October 26-27, 1995, National Director's Meeting held in Saskatoon, SK.
4. Beliefs and Guiding Principles of the Committee
The beliefs underlying the Committee are as follows:
a) Children are the future of our Nations;
b) First Nations have inherent right to self-determination;
c) Clients are the "real heart of the matter." The First nations child
and family service agencies can help empower individuals and communities
through the provision of culturally- appropriate and relevant child welfare
and family support services;
b) Each First Nations is a unique entity with specific dreams,
aspirations and vision.
c) First Nations share the common vision of exercising jurisdiction
over child welfare and family support services.
5. Purpose
The purpose of the Committee is to:
a) mobilize First Nations agencies to take ownership of the proposed
national First Nations Child Welfare League of Canada (hereinafter the
League) with a mandate to provide Canada-wide leadership in the area of
child welfare and family support;
b) monitor and support agency-based and First Nations organizations'
initiatives designed to ensure protection of children and implementation of
practice standards;
c) organize a national conference of First Nations agencies to launch
the League.
6. Tasks and Timelines
6.1 Develop communication with all First Nations agencies throughout
Canada with the objective of
a) December 10, 1995
* Appraising them about the deliberations of the meeting held on
October 26-27, 1995, in Saskatoon..
* Presenting them with these Terms of Reference.
b) March 10, 1996
* Seeking their input on these Terms of Reference and the provisions
herein.
* Coordination of information received from the agencies.
c) September 30, 1996
* Present draft Terms of Reference for the proposed League to all
agencies.
* Present draft Act to all agencies.
6.2 Organize a national First Nations Director's conference by November
30, 1996.
6.3 Ensure
a) All agencies are provided with all necessary documentation.
b) Documentation is developed in good-faith and with due regard to
autonomy of agencies and their communities.
c) Consultative process is thorough and reflective of the traditional
decision-making processes of the First Nations communities.
6.4 Compile and present to the agencies necessary drafts for
consideration including draft of the proposed Act.
6.5 Raise community awareness of child welfare and family support issues.
6.6 Mobilize agencies and First nations political entities for
comprehensive community-based and community-driven child and family service
action as well as adherence to standards of service.
6.7 Promote development of common goals between all First nations agencies.
6.8 Identify the most appropriate strategies to achieve the goal of
national response to child and family service issues including Repatriation
of development of a national Post-Adoption Registry and its linkages with
other North American entities.
6.9 Develop
a) an advocacy plan to support First Nations vision in child welfare
and family support;
b) plan for development of national First Nations child welfare and
family support standards including standards of residential care, agency
case management, governance, etc.
6.10 Monitor and evaluate the tasks as identified herein.
7. Committee Composition
The Committee shall consist of a minimum of six and maximum of
twelve members.
8. Length of Term
Unless otherwise decided by the membership, the Committee shall
dissolve on November 30, 1996, after the establishment of the League.
9. Committee Organization
The Committee officers shall include a Committee Chair and a
Committee Vice-Chair selected from the membership. The Committee shall
operate by:
a) each member shall have only one vote, and
b) dissenting members will have the right to have their views recorded.
10. Committee Meetings
The regular Committee meetings shall be held as required and agreed upon by
its members.
11. Committee Funding
The Committee shall approach DIAND, First Nations agencies or governments
or other sources for its operational funding including the cost of
organizing a national conference in November 1996.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRAFT TASKS
FOR THE PROPOSED
FIRST NATIONS CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE
(October 26, 1995)
1. To advocate for
* recognition of First Nations inherent right to establishing their
own policies, procedures and systems that will ensure safety of children
within the over all context of cultural, traditional and spiritual values
of First Nations;
* development of the national standards of service delivery and
dispute resolution in the area of child welfare and family support;
* to enactment and validation of the First Nations Child Welfare Act
on national level;
* development of a comprehensive network dealing with issues such as
repatriation and inter-provincial or inter-national transfer of files;
2. To facilitate coordination of
* training needs of child welfare staff including organization of an
annual conference addressing practice issues, publication of a monthly or
bimonthly newsletter, quarterly journal and other professional
publications;
* training needs of governance entities of the First Nations child
welfare agencies;
* international and inter-provincial lobby and advocacy processes
pertaining to child welfare and family support;
* community education in the area of First Nations child welfare,
family support and other political developments in the welfare state, i.e.,
conduct regular analysis of developments in Canada's political economy and
its impact on First Nations.
3. Liaise with
* National Indian Child Welfare League, Canadian Child Welfare
League, American Child Welfare League and other professional bodies dealing
with First Nations child welfare or family support;
* Entities such as First Nations, provincial or national professional
associations such as social workers association, psychologists, family
therapists, child care workers association;
* Political entities such as AFN, and provincial entities like BC
Summit, IAA, FSIN, AMC, etc.
(The above Terms of Reference drafted by Zahid Makhdoom and were adopted by
those attending the morning session of the National First national Child
and Family Service Program Directors on October 27, 1995, at Sands Hotel in
Saskatoon, SK)
Peace and Love
Zahid Makhdoom
email : zmakdoom@kootenay.awinc.com
phone work: (604) 489-2464
home: (604) 489-5476 voice/fax
cell: (604) 489-8981
fax: (604) 489-5760
"self-determination is a primary human right...subjugation of people in the
hands of other people is an act of war crime..."