The province has assembled a seven-member committee of community leaders and experts to review child welfare legislation in order to create improved outcomes for children
The committee will be chaired by the MLA for Rossmere, Andrew Micklefield. Micklefield is a former school principal, deputy government house leader and a member of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee.
[jaw_quote author=”Scott Fielding – Families Minister” ]We are moving child welfare laws in a new direction that will allow for more community decision-making and planning and greater support for families and children[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]
Manitoba’s legislation is unique in so much as it devolves responsibility for indigenous child welfare to outside authorities directed by boards appointed by the Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO), Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF).
“This comprehensive review will examine existing legislation to find ways we can incorporate initiatives such as early intervention to keep children safely with their families or in their home communities, flexible funding to community agencies and permanency options like customary care,” said Families Minister Scott Fielding
The committee will hold targeted consultations with stakeholders to discuss ways to transform the legislation that guides the Child and Family Services system.
“Input is critical and we’re looking for a wide range of ideas, especially from youth, families and service providers involved in the child protection and family support systems,” said Micklefield.
The rest of the committee is made up of the following people:
• Sherwood Armbruster (vice-chair) has held senior roles in government and thenon-profit sector including chief operating officer for Siloam Mission and front-line work in a residential treatment group home. He has served on the boards of the North End Family Centre and National Council of Welfare. He has been a foster, adoptive, biological and co-parent.
• Diane Redsky is executive director of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and is dedicated to solving social issues in Winnipeg’s Indigenous community, such as the sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and girls. She has served as a professional and volunteer with local, national and international agencies to help create innovative programs. Recognition for her work includes the Order of Manitoba and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
• Michael Redhead Champagne is the founder of AYO! (Aboriginal Youth Opportunities) and committed to a wide variety of community initiatives such as Meet Me at the Bell Tower, Fearless R2W and ARROWS Youth Engagement Strategy. Champagne has served as president of the North End Community Renewal Corporation and is a board member of Marymound. He was the 2016 Canadian Red Cross Young Humanitarian of the Year and a Next Generation Leader in TIME Magazine.
• Joanne Crate (MKO representative) is a member of Norway House Cree Nation who has focused the last decade of her career on First Nation child welfare. She is currently MKO’s child and family services (CFS) liaison officer and has held various positions at the CFS authority and agency level. Crate was raised by her grandparents and treasures their teachings.
• Dave Daniels (SCO representative) was born in Long Plain First Nation and was one of the key founders of Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services in 1980, the first Aboriginal child welfare agency in Canada. Daniels opened a group home and served as CEO of several companies and organizations.
• Audrey Frances Chartrand (MMF representative) lives in Dauphin and holds a bachelor of social work. She has dedicated her career to the advancement of Métis Child and Family Services and served as the MMF’s director for the Métis Community Liaison Department from 2000 to 2015.
The first meeting of the committee is slated for December 21, 2017.
-Staff-
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