A new, first of its kind child welfare agreement has been signed between the province and the Simpcw First Nation.
That agreement sets out how the Ministry’s child welfare decisions will be informed to ensure Simpcw world view, and cultural continuity are incorporated.
In keeping with that, the agreement has been titled Tcwesétmentem, meaning “walking together” in their Secwepemctsi´n language.
Through the agreement, the Nation will be involved in the protection, planning, and placement of their children and youth who enter the child welfare system.
It also recognizes and outlines how the two parties will work together on assessments, investigations, plans of independence, and plans of care.
It is the first co-created child welfare agreement between the province and a First Nation, establishing a pathway for other Indigenous communities to develop their own, unique, agreements.
Comments