Our vision is to see each First Nation have their own child welfare laws.
Niigaanshkaawin, which means “walking ahead or first to walk ahead” aptly describes the goal to have Tikinagan Child & Family Services breaking trail on a new, proactive path to support and integrate Band Representative programs and First Nation law making.
Niigaanshkaawin News
Why was Niigaanshkaawin created?
In this video, Project Managers Robin Bunting and Esther McKay answers why Niigaanshkaawin was created.
How is Niigaanshkaawin different from Tikinagan?
In this video, Project Managers Robin Bunting and Esther McKay answers how Niigaanshkaawin is different from Tikinagan Child and Family Services.
What communities are involved with Niigaanshkaawin?
In this video, Project Manager Esther McKay answers what communities are involved with Niigaanshkaawin.
What is Niigaanshkaawin?
Niigaanshkaawin is an initiative that aims to support each of Tikinagan Child and Family Services’ 30 First Nation communities decide and implement the right path for their Child Welfare systems.
Why is This Initiative Being Implemented?
On June 21, 2019, an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families became an official law, and on January 1, 2020, its provisions came into force.
Indigenous groups who wish to do so can design and deliver child and family service solutions that best suit their needs. Just as the act was co-developed with our partners, we will continue to work with them through the transition and implementation phases of the act.
Niigaanshkaawin supports an area which stretches from Ogoki in the east to the Manitoba border in the west, and from Savant Lake in the south to Fort Severn in the north. Within this area, Niigaanshkaawin will determine the role of Tikinagan Child and Family Services will play in assisting each community in providing child and family services to their own communities.
More than 20 years ago when new customary care laws came into effect, there were a lot of stories that were told. That’s how the laws came into being — through the stories of the Elders, the youth and middle-aged people. We know there are more stories out there; we just need to bring them out. That is how our laws are going to take develop. We believe your stories can help shape our laws.
That is why we want your stories brought forward. Only from there can we can start to break trail together for our children. This way, our children and youth can know our history, our ways of living. Only then will we know how to begin.
Let us hear your stories. At the community level, we want to listen and learn how you want to take over child and family wellbeing services for your children. We are are to help alongside Tikinagan.
