Koganaawsawin: Monumental progress for First Nations Child Well-Being

By Lynne Brown

SAULT STE. MARIE – Adrienne Pelletier, Director Social Services for the Anishinabek Nation, gave a powerful keynote address on the first morning of the three-day Anishinabek Health Conference, held in Sault Ste. Marie, last week.

The power was in the words. Child Well-Being Law.  Koganaawsawin. Reclaiming Anishinabek children.  Children who are living far from the drum beat that unites culture and ceremony.

Pelletier stated that the Anishinabek Nation has a tireless advocate in Grand Council Chief Madahbee. “He also grew up in care – so he understands what all our children and families are going through.”

“Our goal is to establish a parallel, publically-funded, child welfare system,” she said. “The Ontario government is a willing government – they’re working side by side with us. We partnered to develop the child well-being program which is now going into its third year implantation, in April, 2018. That program will evolve depending on what our communities need.”

“The Child Well-being Law is a prevention based Law,” she told the attendees. “I’ve been going around to all 40 First Nations – talking to community – Chiefs and council about implementation of the Law.” Pelletier further explained that a Child Well-Being working group supported the work of crafting the new Law.  She encouraged attendees to consider being part of the working group going forward. “We take our direction from the working group.”

“This Law will evolve – this Law is a living document,” said Pelletier. “We can always make it better. We need to help one another. If you have thoughts on how we can repatriate our children – share that information.”

Pelletier stated that on March 20 – 21 there will be training on the new Child Well-Being Law and the implementation will begin April 1, 2018.  She distributed packages, including a summary of CWBL to the conference participants, and encouraged health workers to bring them to their respective communities and engage in conversation.

Pelletier said that she hasn’t yet been able to get to all 40 First Nations within the Anishinabek Nation. She is looking for an invitation to communities she hasn’t yet made it to –for an opportunity to talk about the law and talk about what it is and what it is not.

“Right now we are in negotiations with the province – we will likely have the framework agreement by the end of February,” said Pelletier.

“The federal and provincial governments are both at the table as willing partners. The Child and Youth Minister is going to give us an exemption from the Family Services Act.”

“When we officially sign the framework agreement, let’s fill up cars and bring people to the signing ceremony. This is a really big deal – that we are going to have our own law. This is a historical moment,” said Pelletier.

“Our children need to be in culturally appropriate homes – places where they can reconnect with spirit. It’s still difficult some times to integrate culture into homes. Not all of our families are open to cultural practices.”

Pelletier explained that the Child Well-Being Law is called Koganaawsawin. “It’s the act of raising up your children in the community. It is all of our responsibilities to take care of our children. We have started to negotiate with the federal government. Minister (Jane) Philpott (Federal Minister of Indigenous Services) has given direction to her team to begin negotiations with the Anishinabek Nation. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders are starting to come down.”

Pelletier stated that she is holding onto a secret she cannot yet share. “I’m so excited to tell you a secret. I’ve been holding on to this since December.” Pelletier stated that she will be able to share this good news with you before the March 20^–  21 training sessions.

“We aren’t trying to take over child welfare agencies. Koganaawswin will be implemented under the Anishinabek Nation.”

“There will be four Repatriation Coordinators hired. One in every region to support our prevention staff that are working on difficult cases. Someone who will help bring children or youth back to their family.”

All jobs are posted to the Anishinabek News here: http://anishinabeknews.ca/2018/01/12/prevention-services-coordinator/

“The money that we’re negotiating is over and above what the First Nations are already getting,” she said. “Canadian Tribunal Rights money is beginning to flow to all First Nations. We’re not going to be taking away any money from First Nations. The working group helped, and continues to help, steer the ship.”

“There’s so much healing that can happen in our communities. Let’s not be afraid of the change that is coming.  We have an enormous opportunity right now for our children and families. We have willing governments right now. We never gave them jurisdiction over our children so let’s exercise our inherent jurisdiction. It is that premise that began our work. Let’s all work together. I have been mandated to start a grandmothers circle. Koganaawsawin is there to support and advocate for all of our agencies in your work.”

“We have protocol agreements in place – with all service providers. There are also inter-jurisdictional agreements between one agency and another.”

Pelletier took several questions from the floor, including issues pertaining to Children’s Aid and working cooperatively when there are multi-jurisdictional situations embroiled together, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, father’s rights, legal issues pertaining to child protection, emotional abuse and families living in fear.

Public Health Coordinator, Maggie Hill from Pic Mobert First Nation, raised issues pertaining to families, and children living with fear around child protection.

“Families fear their children going into child protection –  causing  more damage to an already fragile situation.” she said.

“Families are terrified to answer their phone or their door. We need to address fear,” said Hill.

On behalf of Pic Mobert First Nation, Hill accepted  Pelletier’s invitation to come to their community.

“Koganaasawin is prevention services. It’s not the child welfare agency. We’re there to help families thrive. Not just meeting their basic needs. Meeting all of their healing needs, too,” shared Pelletier.

Pelletier spoke about the importance of ceremony, facilitated child welfare circles, grandmothers council, and the input of individual communities about raising up children. “We want to build up our people – our children – our families.”

Conference attendee Yvon Lamarche, who has spent the last eight years living and working in Treaty 6 territory says that the Anishinabek Nation moving in the right direction.

“The Anishinabek Nation has been doing a fantastic job trying to modernize child welfare but at the same time recognizing that there is an inherent relationship between health and child well being,” said Lamarche.   “In Manitoba, or Saskatchewan there is a huge rift between child protection and child well-being. You see children stuck there. Children are gone- right off the bat- a minimum of six months when they are taken into care.”

Lamarche echoed what many attendees were saying and thinking.

Elder Elsie Bisaillion spoke about a trip she took to Chapleau last year. She explained that while she was there, she saw an Anishinaabe baby in a stroller, being pushed by two individuals, who were conversing in French. She said that she prayed to Creator for help that First Nations children grow up in their own culture.

“I prayed to Creator that I never see this again – a child be taken away to a non-native home. I support this new law –  Koganaawsawin.”

To watch an interview with Adrienne Pelletier and Anishinbek News about Koganaawsawin, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VN8QWD6uhk