Bearskin Lake First Nation Signs Working Protocol with Tikinagan

On June 20, 2024, the community of Bearskin Lake First Nation has finalized its working protocol with Tikinagan. This is Tikinagan’s first child and family services joint working protocol signing.

The goal of Tikinagan has always been restoring what we know what’s best for our children and families. The signing of this protocol fulfills two of our foundational principles, as handed down by the Chiefs. First, “that no more children be lost from our communities.” Second, “that a child and family service agency be created that would work with the people for the people, while respecting culture, heritage, and the concepts of the extended family.”

We stand strong with Bearskin Lake First Nation and its membership to ensure our children and families are healthy and safe and to ensure every Bearskin Lake First Nation child and family, both on and off-reserve, has access to culturally appropriate services that help them to grow up safe, healthy, and spiritually strong. The purpose of this protocol is to maintain a respectful and collaborative working relationship, setting out the roles and responsibilities of the parties, and to ensure coordination of services between Tikinagan and the Bearskin Lake First Nation.

Bearskin and future family laws and working protocols with Tikinagan for our First Nations will enable our communities to honour our ways, customs, and traditions of our people. At Tikinagan, we have always said, “The answer lies within the community.” With the signing of this working protocol, the answer will continue to come from the community, helping build a healthy community.

As we’ve always done at our agency, we respect Bearskin Lake’s inherent right to make decisions with respect to its children and families wherever they reside. This protocol will ensure full involvement of the Bearskin Lake First Nation in decision making on all matters affecting children and families from the Bearskin Lake First Nation. Bearskin Lake’s Band Rep Program will provide support to its children, youth and families and this program will be primarily responsible for family support and prevention services. 

The Band Rep Program and, in the case of this Protocol, the MW Program, further supports the work and partnerships between Tikinagan and Bearskin Lake First Nation to provide support to children and families. At Tikinagan, we believe that Band Rep programs can provide support to children and families wherever they are. Tikinagan Child and Family Services looks to partner with Bearskin Lake First Nation to ensure no child, youth or family is left without support in their time of need and that they are connected to extended family and their community.

We are excited to break trail with our other First Nations who want to take a proactive path in integrating First Nation Representative programs and First Nation law making. We will support any community that wants to work on taking over their child protection services. We still stand by them.