Child welfare agency nears designation

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Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services expects to complete the five-stage ministerial process to become a designated Indigenous Child Welfare Agency, and be up and running, by April, according to the organization’s executive director.

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Joanne Koehler said Thursday after a meeting with Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s associate minister of children and women’s issues, that although the organization will officially receive the designation April 1, a “major celebration” to mark the event won’t occur for a few weeks after that.

Koehler and other stakeholders in Niijaansinaanik met with Dunlop to provide an update on the process.

Niijaansinaanik is set to be a mandated child protection agency covering the same region as the Nipissing Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society, providing child protective services with an emphasis on culture.

“It will be supportive of the beliefs, traditions and customs of the Anishinabek people and the Cree people,” Koehler explains.

She says it is necessary because it will focus not on the “western, mainstream” services now available.

“This is a very delicate area of service,” she says.

There are six First Nations communities within the area, including Dokis, Magnetawan, Henvey Inlet, Shawanaga, Wasauksing and Wahnapitae. There also are numerous Indigenous persons living outside those communities who will be served by the centre.

In a news release, Koehler also pointed out that the organization is “determinedly working toward establishing infrastructure to support the safety, health and well-being of Indigenous children, youth and families, in and from our First Nations,” providing services that reflect the values, beliefs and principles rooted within Anishinabek culture.

“Niijaansinaanik will be providing culturally centred protection, prevention, advocacy and care for all Indigenous children, youth and families.”

Niijaansinaanik began the five-stage designation process in December 2016, building the organizational capacity and infrastructure necessary to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.