Fort McMurray welcomes the establishment of a new Delegated First Nations child and family services agency known as the Mikisew Awasis Kisiwatsowin Society. This agency is tasked with providing child protection services and prevention support to families residing on reserve within the Mikisew Cree First Nation.
Unlike Crown corporations or children’s services, Delegated First Nations agencies like the Mikisew Awasis Kisiwatsowin Society are independent organizations registered as incorporated entities. They operate autonomously to deliver child welfare services exclusively within the boundaries of the First Nation they represent.
The inauguration of this agency signifies a significant shift in how child and family services are managed within the community, as highlighted by speakers at the grand opening event, including elders and community members. Currently, child intervention files involving Mikisew Cree individuals are overseen by the province.
Charlene McGrath, the executive director of the society, emphasized the historical importance of this moment, as the agency and the Mikisew Cree First Nation will now assume responsibility for these files. The agency is headquartered in a former bank building situated in downtown Fort McMurray.
The planning for this center has been ongoing for approximately seven years, with the legal establishment of the agency finalized in January. McGrath took on the role of executive director in March.
According to McGrath, the name of the facility holds different interpretations, with a common understanding that it embodies the Mikisew’s love for children and acknowledges them as gifts from the creator.
In a milestone event for reclaiming child welfare, a grand opening ceremony was held on October 2 in Fort McMurray, bringing together community members, elders, and leadership, including Chief Billy Joe Tuccaro. Chief Tuccaro expressed that the establishment of the agency grants them a voice concerning the welfare of children on reserve.
Chief Tuccaro also shared a personal connection to the cause, citing his mother’s history of being adopted and going through multiple foster homes. The chief emphasized the importance of making a change to prevent such stories from recurring.
While the Mikisew Cree First Nation is primarily based in Fort Chipewyan, the decision to locate the new agency in Fort McMurray was made due to its central position, facilitating easier access for many Mikisew members, including those in other cities like Edmonton.
McGrath outlined that the agency will respond to reports of potential harm, neglect, or abuse towards children from various sources like the RCMP, community members, schools, or parents. Upon receiving a report, an assessment is conducted to determine the need for intervention, leading to connections with relevant stakeholders and ultimately assisting the children and families in need.
For McGrath, who has dedicated over two decades to child welfare, the agency’s opening holds personal significance, reflecting her commitment to ensuring every child is nurtured, supported, and part of a family. Chief Tuccaro viewed the moment as a source of pride and healing for the Mikisew Cree First Nation, honoring past leaders and remembering those who did not return home.
