MANITOBA KEEWATINOWI OKIMAKANAK (MKO) AND PROVINCE

Family Services and Housing Minister Tim Sale and Grand Chief Francis Flett of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) signed an historic agreement today which gives First Nations a mandate to deliver child and family services to First Nations people in northern Manitoba.

The memorandum of understanding will make it possible for First Nations agencies in northern Manitoba to deliver the full range of services under the Child and Family Services Act, as well as adoption services under the Adoption Act. This initiative follows recommendations put forward by the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC).

Four First Nations agencies providing services to 26 northern MKO First Nations communities will be mandated to deliver programs for their people living outside their communities.

"This agreement acknowledges that First Nations people have a right to develop and control the delivery of child and family services programs for their respective First Nations members," said Sale. "Today’s signing ceremony continues the new era started with the signing of agreements between this government and the Southern First Nations in April and the Manitoba Metis Federation in February."

"This is a momentous occasion," said Flett. "This memorandum of understanding will not only make history but this agreed upon process will honour the lives of our children and their children. Much praise is owed to the minister of family services and housing and the minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs for their foresight and admirable approach in restructuring child and family services to include First Nations people."

"Community-based solutions work best in the delivery of child and family services," said Eric Robinson, minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs. "Our government believes this agreement demonstrates our support of the desire of First Nations people to establish new forms of self- government and that MKO First Nations should have the right to control the delivery of child and family services as an expression of self- government."

Representing the AJIC, commissioners Paul Chartrand and Wendy Whitecloud noted that today’s event marks the third MOU signing by the Manitoba government and organizations representing Aboriginal people in the province in the last six months. This means all Aboriginal people in Manitoba will have the opportunity to receive child and family services that are culturally appropriate, they said.

"The commission is currently developing further recommendations and is gratified to see that the government continues to take action to implement the commission’s initial recommendations," said Whitecloud.

Under the terms of the memorandum, it is understood that child and family services and programs for First Nations people will be developed to reflect their unique status as well as their cultural and linguistic heritage. It recognizes that locally developed solutions are the most effective and practical approach to ensuring self-determination and healthy communities.

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