Thunder Bay CAS hands over Aboriginal child welfare

UOI OFFICES (NIPISSING FN), Nov. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Responsibility for child welfare for Aboriginal children in Thunder Bay is being reassigned to Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.

Dilico today signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Thunder Bay Children's Aid Society.

"This MOU is significant because it formally transfers jurisdiction of aboriginal children from Thunder Bay Children's Aid Society to Dilico Anishinabek Family Care," says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee.  "We hope to repeat the same process for all of our Anishinabek child welfare agencies."

Dilico Ojibway Child and Family Services was incorporated on July 23, 1986 with a mandate to develop and implement a child welfare system to strengthen, maintain and support Anishinabek children and families.

"First Nations agencies know how to take care of their children in a culturally-appropriate way," says Adrienne Pelletier, Union of Ontario Indians Social Services director.  "Our agencies are sure to notify band reps in a timely manner when there is a child welfare matter.  Customary care - making sure that our children are being looked after by community members or aboriginal families in an urban setting - is important to ensure children still have a connection to culture and language."

Pelletier says she expects better child welfare outcomes because of the Thunder Bay agreement.

"The Anishinabek Nation has developed a draft Child Welfare Law to take over jurisdiction for all Anishinaabe children - securing jurisdiction on and off reserve is part of that plan of all of our 39 communities," says Pelletier.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949.  The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people.  The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

 

SOURCE: Anishinabek Nation

Marci Becking, Communications Officer
Phone: [phone] ext. 2290
Cell: 705-494-0735
E-mail: [email protected]
www.anishinabek.ca
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