Strengthening Strengthening communities through communities through tradition and culturetradition and culture

Presented by:Chief Maureen J. Chapman,Chair of the Aboriginal Children and Families Chiefs’ Coalition (ACFCC)and the ACFCC Work Team

NICWA Conference – April 12, 2010, Portland, Oregon

Working for FamiliesWorking for Familiesin BC’s Fraser Regionin BC’s Fraser Region

Focusing on PrioritiesFocusing on Priorities

Our children transcend everything else

HistoryHistory

BC government responsible BC government responsible for many social services for many social services including Health, Child and including Health, Child and Family Services, Education, Family Services, Education, etc.etc.

2002 – First attempt to 2002 – First attempt to transfer service oversight to transfer service oversight to Aboriginal communities Aboriginal communities begins. Process begins. Process discontinued in April 2009.discontinued in April 2009.

History, cont’d.History, cont’d. Fall 2008 – Fraser Region Chiefs Fall 2008 – Fraser Region Chiefs

representing 34 First Nations sign a representing 34 First Nations sign a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to support each others’ efforts without to support each others’ efforts without political interference.political interference.

April 2009 – Aboriginal Children and April 2009 – Aboriginal Children and Families Chiefs’ Coalition formed as a Families Chiefs’ Coalition formed as a Society under the British Columbia Society under the British Columbia Societies Act.Societies Act.

ACFCC represents 14 Fraser Region First ACFCC represents 14 Fraser Region First Nations communities in the southwest Nations communities in the southwest region of British Columbia from the region of British Columbia from the Canada/US border and north to the Fraser Canada/US border and north to the Fraser Canyon.Canyon.

TimelineTimeline2002 20082007 2009

Aboriginal leaders agree

to Tsawwassen Accord

MoU signed

with province

Province fails to introduce legislation creating

permanent Authorities

Interim Authority declared in

Fraser Region

Authority process ended, ACFCC formed

Who We AreWho We AreThe Aboriginal Children and Families Chiefs’ Coalition has 13 member First Nations and two others that we have established relationships with. They are:

Aitchelitz First Nation Chief Jimmy George 40

Boothroyd First Nation Chief Phil Campbell 266

Boston Bar First Nation Chief Dolores O’Donaghey 244

Leq’a:mel First Nation Chief Alice Thompson 347

Matsqui First Nation Chief Alice McKay 239

Popkum First Nation Chief James Murphy 8

Shxwa:y First Nation Chief Murray Sam 343

Skawahlook First Nation Chief Maureen Chapman 77

Skowkale First Nation Chief Willy Hall 232

Spuzzum First Nation Chief Melvin Bobb 210

Squiala First Nation Chief Sam Jimmie III 154

Tzeachten First Nation Chief Joe Hall 414

Yakweakwioose First Nation Chief Frank Malloway 63We also work closely with Katzie First Nation and Tsawwassen First Nation

Doing it DifferentlyDoing it Differently

The ACFCC works only with communities that wish to be involved. It also The ACFCC works only with communities that wish to be involved. It also supports the work of other Aboriginal communities or groups of supports the work of other Aboriginal communities or groups of communities working on their own children and families initiatives.communities working on their own children and families initiatives.

The ACFCC is based on the principles of “ground up” decision-making The ACFCC is based on the principles of “ground up” decision-making with Chiefs shaping policies based on the expressed needs of community with Chiefs shaping policies based on the expressed needs of community members. members.

Doing it Differently, cont.Doing it Differently, cont. The ACFCC emphasizes the inclusion and consultation of The ACFCC emphasizes the inclusion and consultation of

youth as part of our direct mandate, not merely as a side youth as part of our direct mandate, not merely as a side component. Our youth linkage workers consult with youth component. Our youth linkage workers consult with youth in each community – either in small groups or, if requested, in each community – either in small groups or, if requested, individually. Direct program proposals are based on the individually. Direct program proposals are based on the needs identified by youth. needs identified by youth.

The ACFCC Will not directly deliver services. It will help The ACFCC Will not directly deliver services. It will help develop policies that service agencies will follow when develop policies that service agencies will follow when working with members of its communities.working with members of its communities.

The ACFCC operates with a very small, integrated work The ACFCC operates with a very small, integrated work team. Each member supports others and uses their team. Each member supports others and uses their individual skills to strengthen the whole. individual skills to strengthen the whole.

Our Partners, Our FocusOur Partners, Our Focus

Working With Our PartnersWorking With Our Partners The First Nations Child and Family Wellness Council – Formed in The First Nations Child and Family Wellness Council – Formed in

2008, it works specifically with the provincial government and 2008, it works specifically with the provincial government and government agencies on family and children’s issues. government agencies on family and children’s issues. ACFCC Chair Chief Maureen Chapman is one of two Fraser Region ACFCC Chair Chief Maureen Chapman is one of two Fraser Region representatives.representatives.

Service Agencies – the ACFCC is working directly with Service Agencies – the ACFCC is working directly with Xyolhemeylh Child and Family Services, a delegated agency, Xyolhemeylh Child and Family Services, a delegated agency, to enhance the way services are provided to its member to enhance the way services are provided to its member communities.communities.

The Provincial Government – ACFCC Chiefs have met directly with The Provincial Government – ACFCC Chiefs have met directly with the Honourable Mary Polak, Minister of Children and Family the Honourable Mary Polak, Minister of Children and Family Development on service issues and to transition program Development on service issues and to transition program oversight. It is also working with ministries responsible for oversight. It is also working with ministries responsible for education, health and housing. education, health and housing.

Our First YearOur First Year

Worked with each individual member Worked with each individual member community to identify strengths and gapscommunity to identify strengths and gaps

Prepared an analysis of strengths and gaps Prepared an analysis of strengths and gaps and formulated proposals to address themand formulated proposals to address them

Engaged government bodies and service Engaged government bodies and service agencies to assist in a holistic approach to agencies to assist in a holistic approach to future planningfuture planning

Recognized the need for and increased the Recognized the need for and increased the direct influence youth and young adults direct influence youth and young adults have in this process. have in this process.

Since its formation in April 2009, the ACFCC has:

Building to the FutureBuilding to the Future The ACFCC has identified next steps based on The ACFCC has identified next steps based on

discussions with communities. These include:discussions with communities. These include:

The formation of Care Committees and a National Care Committee. The formation of Care Committees and a National Care Committee. Care Committees work with families in crisis and social workers to Care Committees work with families in crisis and social workers to prevent child removals and/or to keep children in their home prevent child removals and/or to keep children in their home communities. A national committee would assist in instances where communities. A national committee would assist in instances where family connections require outside parties.family connections require outside parties.

Pilot projects including Vision Question camps for youth to participate Pilot projects including Vision Question camps for youth to participate in cultural activities including living off the land, canoeing, carving, in cultural activities including living off the land, canoeing, carving, drumming and dancing.drumming and dancing.

Working with provincial ministries to begin the transfer of oversight Working with provincial ministries to begin the transfer of oversight from government bodies to First Nations.from government bodies to First Nations.

Ratifying protocol agreements to set standards for social workers Ratifying protocol agreements to set standards for social workers entering ACFCC communities. entering ACFCC communities.

ChallengesChallenges Funding – First Nations services in BC have long Funding – First Nations services in BC have long

been underfunded. The global recession has also been underfunded. The global recession has also had an impact. had an impact.

Government resistance – while BC’s government Government resistance – while BC’s government has said it wants to relinquish control over First has said it wants to relinquish control over First Nations services, its actions have shown a Nations services, its actions have shown a reluctance to enter trust-based relationships.reluctance to enter trust-based relationships.

Knowledge gaps – Social workers receive limited, Knowledge gaps – Social workers receive limited, if any, exposure to First Nations culture while if any, exposure to First Nations culture while training. The ACFCC is working to bring in training. The ACFCC is working to bring in reality-based training.reality-based training.

Small population bases – Unlike many US and Small population bases – Unlike many US and Canadian First Nations/Tribes, British Columbia Canadian First Nations/Tribes, British Columbia has more than 200 distinct First Nation has more than 200 distinct First Nation communities. Many are very small – with only communities. Many are very small – with only a few dozen members – but must still be given a few dozen members – but must still be given equal consideration in planning and equal consideration in planning and programming.programming.

The OutcomeThe OutcomeThe ACFCC’s long term goal is to see community-based The ACFCC’s long term goal is to see community-based services offered in an atmosphere of respect, consultation services offered in an atmosphere of respect, consultation and a family-first focus.and a family-first focus.

Service areas could include:Service areas could include:

Family Development Family Development Early Childhood Development Early Childhood Development Supported Child Development Supported Child Development Youth Justice Youth Justice Child and Youth Mental Health Child and Youth Mental Health Child Protection, including intake Child Protection, including intake and investigation, foster parentingand investigation, foster parentingand guardianshipand guardianship AdoptionAdoption Children and Youth with Special NeedsChildren and Youth with Special Needs

First Nations Children and Youth should grow up in their First Nations Children and Youth should grow up in their home communities with pride, knowledge and culture. home communities with pride, knowledge and culture.