Colonial institutions and legal systems have for too long taken Indigenous children away from the care of their communities, families, language and culture. We recognize that Indigenous communities are best placed to look after their own children and families based on their own legal traditions, practices and customs. We work with Indigenous governments to negotiate agreements with federal, provincial and territorial governments and to draft and implement laws as they exercise their inherent right of self-government through their jurisdiction over child and family services.
We support Indigenous governments and communities at all steps on their path to jurisdiction over their children and families.
For Indigenous governments and communities in British Columbia, we work on Community Agreements under section 92.1 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act to improve consultation and coordination with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
We also support Indigenous governments and communities as they negotiate Coordination Agreements and draft and implement laws under the federal An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families.
We assist with negotiations for jurisdiction over child and family services under self-government agreements and the drafting and implementation of child and family services laws.
We also assist Indigenous governments and communities with long-term strategic planning for their future exercise of their inherent right of self-government over child and family services.
Our work includes:
- negotiating, drafting, implementing and advising on section 92.1 Community Agreements in British Columbia with the
- negotiating, drafting, implementing and advising on Coordination Agreements under An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families
- drafting, implementing and advising on child and family services laws under An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families
- negotiating jurisdiction over child and family services in self-government agreements
- drafting, implementing and advising on child and family services laws enacted under self-government agreements
- advising on legislative reforms needed by other governments to support the exercise of Indigenous self-government over child and family services
For more information about our work in this area, please see the following pages:
- Community Agreements under section 92.1 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act
- Coordination Agreements and laws under An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families
- Jurisdiction and Laws under Self-Government Agreements
If you would like to talk to a lawyer practicing in this area, please contact: