In 2023, a child-care agreement that was once celebrated as a groundbreaking development is now under scrutiny by Chief Stan Bird of Peguis First Nation, who is advocating for its termination. Chief Bird is urging for a revision of the agreement that established Peguis Child and Family Services to include independent oversight, rather than being solely managed by the CFS team.
The initial goal of the agreement was to provide culturally appropriate and effective child and family services for the community, but Chief Bird now argues that it has led to systemic failures at various levels. He highlighted concerns regarding the lack of accountability and transparency within the current structure.
Peguis Child and Family Services was established through a co-ordination agreement between the provincial and federal governments under Bill C-92, granting Indigenous communities the authority to oversee child welfare within their territories. Peguis First Nation, located north of Winnipeg in Manitoba, became the first Indigenous community in the province to sign such an agreement in January 2023.
Despite the initial optimism surrounding the agreement, Chief Bird emphasized that many families have reported difficulties in communicating with the CFS agency, with children even reaching out to the band office for assistance after being turned away. Chief Bird expressed frustration over the lack of oversight, transparency, and independent review, stating that it leaves vulnerable children at risk.
The chief criticized the previous leadership for establishing a management structure that limits the authority of the current council. Chief Bird called for the immediate termination of the co-ordination agreement and the restructuring of the agency to ensure proper oversight and accountability.
Manitoba’s Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine expressed support for Peguis’s jurisdiction rights and has initiated discussions with Chief Bird to address his concerns. Indigenous Services Canada clarified that while they provide funding, Peguis is responsible for ensuring effective service delivery due to their inherent right of self-government.
Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization voiced his support for Chief Bird, emphasizing the importance of maintaining jurisdiction while safeguarding the best interests of children. He highlighted that the issue extends beyond Peguis First Nation and sets a precedent for how governments handle Indigenous child and family services across Manitoba and Canada.
The community’s call to reassess the child-welfare agreement reflects growing concerns over the well-being and safety of children under the current system.
