An historical venture in child protection
By Kelly Anne Smith
STURGEON FALLS—The Waabnoong Bemjiwang Tribal Council has announced the Waabnoong Bemjiwang Child Well-Being Agency Development Project.
Waabnoong Bemjiwang is a technical organization that typically works in housing, infrastructure, water and wastewater. They will now facilitate the development of the Child Well-Being Agency.
Seasoned social worker Joanne Koehler has been hired as the project manager. She has been given two years to consult with communities and create the blueprint for the new child protection agency.
“It is a very historical adventure for the area because the seven First Nation communities have always been serviced by a provincial service protection agency,” stated Koehler.
At a media conference, Executive Director of Waabnoong Bemjiwang Irvin George stated that the new agency will ensure that First Nations children receive services consistent with community customs and cultural practices.
George explained the progression of the Waabnoong Child Well-Being Agency.
“The Chiefs asked us to take a look at getting movement on the Child Well-Being Agency,” stated George. “We worked with Adrienne Pelletier who did the heavy lifting on getting the ministry prepared to support the organization.”
Union of Ontario Indians Social Services Director Adrienne Pelletier is the force behind the Anishinabek Child Well-Being Law being implemented in early 2017. Pelletier has called for the original, national version of Jordan’s Principle ensuring First Nation’s children care is not at risk when there are payment disputes between the federal and provincial governments.
Project Manager Koehler said the change in child well-being is in keeping with The Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“Many recommendations were based on having identified that changes were needed in Native Child Welfare and servicing,” stated Koehler.
Koehler clarifies that her project-to-be developed is a brand new pre-designated child well-being agency.
“There are four other pre-designated agencies in the province that have been doing it for quite awhile,” noted Koehler. “They are supported by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.”
The new project manager holds off imagining how the future agency will run.
“This is stage A. We will be doing community consultation with the seven communities,” stated Koehler. “Their voice will tell us what they want. That is exactly the difference. Instead of telling First Nations what they need, it’s the complete opposite. The people will be the voice of what the service model will look like.
“The next stage will be designation to exercise protection services in the province of Ontario,” continued Koehler. “That’s what we are here to develop and work with the ministry and get that moving along. It’s exciting and long, long overdue.”
A member of the Batchewana First Nation, Koehler has 17 years of experience in the Indigenous child welfare field. She has worked with Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services, The Office of The Children’s Lawyer, the Children’s Aid Society, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
George says Waabnoong Bemjiwang is advocating that each community establishes a steering committee within itself.
“They can be the champions and advocates of development of the agency as well,” stated George. “Somebody from that group or Chief and Council, however they want to establish that, will anticipate on the higher level.
“There are three levels: community, a First Nation level representative and then a joint level with the ministry,” added George.
Waabnoong Bemjiwang has seven participating communities: Wahnapitae, Nipissing, Dokis, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan, Shawanaga, and Wasauksing First Nations.
Koehler is eager to get started.
“We will be starting that lickety split in the new year,” stated Koehler. “We will have someone from each community to be part of a steering committee. We will use consultation and questionnaires to pull out what they think they need or want.”