First Nations Child and Family Caring Society

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Name	First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Type	Non-profit organization
Founded	1998
Founder	Cindy Blackstock
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Mission	Advocate for equitable services for Indigenous children and families

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society is a Canadian Indigenous non-profit dedicated to advancing equitable services for First Nations children and families across Canada. It operates through advocacy, legal action, research, and program delivery, interfacing with federal and provincial institutions such as Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Canada Human Rights Tribunal, Assembly of First Nations, and tribal organizations including Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Treaty 8 (Alberta). The Society collaborates with academics, grassroots groups, and policy-makers including figures linked to University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Toronto, Trent University, and Simon Fraser University.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1998 by social worker and activist Cindy Blackstock alongside community leaders from regions such as Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba. Early alliances included Canadian Council on Social Development, Native Women's Association of Canada, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, and local agencies like Kitselas First Nation services. Foundational events involved engagement with national forums such as the National Aboriginal Health Organization conferences and consultations tied to treaties including Treaty 6 and Treaty 7. The Society’s genesis was influenced by advocacy precedents set by organizations such as Assembly of First Nations and legal strategies paralleling cases like R. v. Sparrow and Delgamuukw v. British Columbia.

Mandate and programs

The Society’s mandate focuses on child welfare, family support, health access, and cultural continuity for communities like Mi'kmaq, Cree, Anishinaabe, Mohawk, and Métis Nation of Ontario. Programs include culturally based family preservation models influenced by practices from Nisga'a Nation and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, foster care reform projects comparable to initiatives in Norway Indigenous policy studies, and public education campaigns engaging partners such as Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Paediatric Society, Native Child and Family Services Toronto, and Public Health Agency of Canada. Capacity-building work draws on frameworks used by institutions like Canadian Institutes of Health Research and research networks connected to Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement.

Legal advocacy and Jordan's Principle

The Society played a central role in litigation before the Canada Human Rights Tribunal regarding discriminatory funding of child welfare and health services on reserves, often litigating against policies from Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and coordinating with legal clinics such as Cindy Blackstock v. Canada-related counsel and advocates from Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. The organization was instrumental in advancing Jordan's Principle, a child-first policy named after Jordan River Anderson from Norway House Cree Nation, which was endorsed by bodies including the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and referenced in rulings involving Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence on Indigenous rights like R. v. Gladue and remedial orders akin to Marshall v. Nova Scotia. Implementation efforts involved coordination with provincial authorities such as Manitoba Health, Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and Indigenous governing bodies including British Columbia Assembly of First Nations.

Research, reports, and impact

The Society has produced empirical reports and policy briefs drawing on collaborations with academics from Harvard University, York University, University of Alberta, McMaster University, and research institutes like Fraser Institute critiques and comparative studies referencing Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports. Publications analyzed disparities in funding, health outcomes, and child welfare system outcomes for communities including Haida, Sto:lo, and Oneida Nation of the Thames, influencing parliamentary debates in the House of Commons and prompting inquiries linked to commissions like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Impact includes tribunal remedies, policy shifts in departments such as Health Canada, changes to funding formulas referencing models used by New Zealand Ministry for Children (Oranga Tamariki), and recognition in awards and acknowledgements from organizations such as Canadian Human Rights Commission-adjacent networks.

Partnerships and funding

The Society’s partners encompass Indigenous organizations such as National Indian Child Welfare Association, governmental entities including Employment and Social Development Canada, academic partners like University of Victoria, and philanthropic bodies similar to McConnell Foundation and W. Garfield Weston Foundation. Funding sources have included grants, donations, and project partnerships with institutions like Metropolitan Community Church-affiliated campaigns and collaborations with unions such as Canadian Union of Public Employees for advocacy campaigns. Program delivery often involves local band councils, tribal chiefs from councils including Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), and service providers like Dawn House-style agencies.

Criticisms and controversies

The Society has faced critiques from commentators and organizations such as some federal departments and policy analysts who invoked fiscal frameworks comparable to debates involving Privy Council Office budgeting practices, and think tanks like C.D. Howe Institute and Fraser Institute on funding priorities. Controversies have included disputes over implementation of tribunal orders, tensions with provincial ministries including Alberta Ministry of Human Services, and debates with Indigenous organizations over models of service delivery akin to controversies seen in discussions around Child and Family Services (Manitoba). High-profile testimonies and media coverage involved outlets and figures connected to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, parliamentary committees such as the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and public interest litigation paralleling cases like R. v. Haida Nation.

Category:Indigenous organizations in Canada