Here's how Cowessess will use $38M to develop its child welfare program
The federal government committed $38.7 million to Cowessess First Nation to assist with the development of its historic child welfare program.
On Tuesday, Cowessess was legally transferred jurisdiction over its children in care. This marks the first time that control of child and family services has been restored to an Indigenous community under federal law.
Cowessess Chief Cadmus Delorme said that money will help get the programs at the new Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge off the ground.
“This capital investment is going to help us with our start-up costs,” Delorme said, in an interview with CTV Morning Live Regina. “This money is going to take us to control our own destiny, to create our own programs, which are already being created and implemented.”
“Finally, it is going to allow us to make sure that we can invest our culture and our means and our ideology into making sure that one day there’s no children in care.”
The Miyo Pimatisowin Act, which was ratified by Cowessess residents in March 2020, asserts the community’s right to care for children and families in need. The Act is a stepping-stone in the community’s effort to create its own plan for self-governance. It is the first of its kind in Canada.
The act was made possible by the signing of Bill C-92, an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, giving Indigenous communities the ability to affirm and recognize jurisdiction over child and family services.
Prior to Bill C-92, Delorme said the community did not have decision making power when it came to Cowessess children in care. Now, the First Nation has legal jurisdiction and control over those cases.
“The moment that the phone is picked up, the moment the investigation call is given, the moment that prevention is required, that answer of that phone will be from Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge, which is a Cowessess organization,” Delorme said.
“From the moment of that first call, that string is connected to home.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe joined Delorme and other members of the community at the Cowessess Powwow grounds on Tuesday to sign a coordination agreement under the federal Act.
Under the Act, which has been in force since Jan. 2020, a request must be made to enter into a coordination agreement in order for an Indigenous law on child and family services to prevail over any conflicting federal, provincial or regional laws.
“We'll ensure that as we move forward kids get the support they need, and the protection they need, driven by their own communities, in their own languages in their cultures so that no kids will be removed from the communities that they're a part of,” Trudeau said Tuesday.
According to the prime minister’s office, 38 Indigenous governments, representing more than 100 communities, are seeking to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services under the Act. Eighteen coordination agreement discussions are underway.
At the signing event Tuesday, Delorme spoke about bringing Cowessess children home. He specified however, that does not necessarily mean physically bringing them back into the community.
“We have some great foster homes right now raising our children. We are just going to make sure that children have a cultural plan, a kinship plan, and if we feel that repatriation is in the best interest for the child’s long term goal, then that is something we have the authorization to do now,” Delorme said.
Delorme said the ultimate goal of the program is to one day have no children left in the welfare system.
With files from CTV News Regina's Michaela Solomon
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.