Ministry approves agency advancement
DOKIS FIRST NATION – Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services (NCFS) is advancing towards a historical designation as an Indigenous Child Welfare Agency, after receiving the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCCSS) approval to advance to Stage 3 – Transition Stage, as part of the 5-Stage Ministerial process. The correspondence was received from Assistant Deputy Minister of Child Welfare and Protection, David Remington, on January 3, 2020. NCFS currently provides Child and Family Services to six (6) First Nations including Dokis, Magnetawan, Henvey Inlet, Shawanaga, Wasauksing and Wahnapitae. NCFS will continue to provide services and increase organizational capacity to meet Ministerial requirements to next, seek approval to assume full responsibility towards handling Indigenous child welfare matters in the jurisdictional areas.
“There has been a recognized urgency for cultural inclusion and representation in child welfare matters for years and we are proud to be currently providing this to our member communities,” said NCFS Executive Director, Joanne Koehler.
NCFS is a cultural-based organization responsive to the holistic needs of all children, youth and families. NCFS services reflect values, beliefs, and principles rooted within Anishinabek culture. NCFS provides culturally-centred protection, prevention, advocacy, and care for all Indigenous families, infants, children and youth who experience abuse or are at risk of experiencing any type of abuse, neglect or abandonment. As part of the designation stages, staff are working with the local Children’s Aid Society (CAS) and Ministry for secondment processes and training.
“Indigenous communities have an inherent right to govern their own – especially in child welfare matters,” said Koehler. “Our organization is determinedly working towards, and now over half-way to establishing infrastructure to support the safety, health, and well-being of children and families, in and from, our First Nations.”
Our Organization:
Niijaansinaanik Child and Family was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the province of Ontario in November 2018. We began activities as a pre-designated Child Well Being Agency in 2016. This pre-designation is historic as it is a necessary step in reclaiming jurisdiction over child welfare services to the First Nations we currently service.
– 30 –
Contact:
Joanne Koehler
Executive Director Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services
Telephone: (705) 763-2200
E-mail: Joanne.koehler@niijcfs.com
Shayla Brunet
Communications Coordinator
Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services
Telephone: (705) 474-9707 ext. 509
E-mail: Shayla.brunet@niijcfs.com