Indigenous groups sign new protocol agreement to clearly define their responsibilities

By Sam Laskaris

SUDBURY – It was almost a decade in the making, but Marie Meawasige, the executive director of the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre (NNFC) in Sudbury, Ont., had an inkling the day would come when a partnership would be forged with the Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services (KGCFS).

That day arrived on Mar. 29 when the two organizations signed a protocol agreement at a press conference in Sudbury.

Besides Sudbury, the KGCFS also has offices located in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and M’Chigeeng First Nation. It services those from seven First Nations and individuals who identify as First Nation from Manitoulin Island and the district of Sudbury.

Meawasige said the creation of a new official partnership had been discussed for quite a long time.

“We met several years ago when they were in the beginning stages of their organization,” she said of the KDCFS.

In addition to Wiikwemkoong and M’Chigeeng, the KGCFS also services the First Nations of Whitefish River, Aundeck Omni Kaning, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, and Zhiibaahaasing.

As for the NNFC, it is one of 29 friendship centres located throughout Ontario.

The KGCFS and NNFC have similar mandates and they do complement one another. But they also have varying responsibilities, community accountability structures, and governance.

Now, with the signed protocol agreement, obligations of each are clearly spelled out.

“I’m really pleased we have the written protocol agreement with them now,” Meawasige said. “It makes things much easier now. It’s clear now what everyone’s roles are. I think everybody is happy we now have this written agreement.”

Denise Morrow, KGCFS’s executive director, is also pleased with the new arrangement.

“The core objective of KGCFS is to serve member First Nations communities through prevention and protection activities designed to culturally maintain and nourish the dignity and integrity of the Anishinabek family system by offering various supportive choices,” she said. “The new protocol agreement between N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre and KGCFS provides and aligns with our KGCFS mandate for services through a culturally serviced delivery model to families to move towards healthy lifestyles for their Anishinabek children, families, and communities.”

Morrow believes Indigenous people will benefit from the protocol agreement.

“Building strong community relationships is an important step to building strong families,” she said. “With the new protocol agreement signing between KGCFS and N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, the primary objective and intent is fostering strong youth, families, and community.”

Meawasige said a policy analyst from the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres had previously assisted writing drafts of the protocol agreement.

“There were some delays because of COVID,” she said. “But it also gave us some time to work on it.”

Meawasige added the Sudbury-based friendship centre has long worked with the KGCFS.

“Right now, we work together,” said Meawasige, who has been KINA’s executive director since 1982. “But I think this will bring a closer partnership with KINA.”

Meawasige also believes the new protocol agreement will be followed by others. She said other child services organizations have already expressed interest in partnerships.

If those do come to fruition, they would each be separate protocol agreements.