About Niigaanshkaawin

Niigaanshkaawin was developed to honour the original vision of those who came before us. With the support of the Bill C-92 Act and its objectives, Niigaanshkaawin gives the opportunity for First Nations to develop and govern their own child welfare laws.

At the Tikinagan Annual Chiefs Assembly held virtually October 2021, Tikinagan Executive Director, Thelma Morris presented on a proposal called Niigaanshkaawin. The name, which means “walking ahead or first to walk ahead,” aptly describes the goal to have Tikinagan break trail on a new, proactive path to support and integrate Band Representative programs and First Nation law making. At the Assembly a resolution was passed to form a new Chiefs Committee to oversee a process to determine the role of the agency in the future with wide-ranging changes in the child welfare landscape.

“We chose the name Niigaanshkaawin because Tikinagan has always led the way,” explained Morris. “I have always said we are two-steps ahead of everyone in Ontario. This can be the base for child welfare laws in Ontario. My dream is for each First Nation to have their own child welfare laws.”

Niigaanshkaawin – Breaking Trail is an initiative that has its purpose: to support First Nation affiliates of Tikinagan Child and Family Services in the development of Band Representative programs, implementation of child welfare laws, and to reimagine the role Tikinagan will have in the future.

Co-developed with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners, the act:

• affirms the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services

• establishes national principles such as the best interests of the child, cultural continuity and substantive equality

• contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

• provides an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to choose their own solutions for their children and families

On June 21, 2019, the 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 services 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.

As of January 1, 2020:

• Indigenous groups who have developed their own legislation will have 2 options to exercise jurisdiction under the act.

• Every service provider delivering child and family services to Indigenous children and families will need to follow the minimum standards found in the act.

• Existing agencies will continue to provide services to Indigenous children.

• Agreements related to existing delegated agencies will remain valid unless the parties decide otherwise.

• If Indigenous groups are currently at discussion tables to conclude agreements, they can still exercise jurisdiction under the framework of the act.

• Indigenous groups that choose to exercise their jurisdiction could continue working with delegated agencies or could create their own delivery service models.

• The act provides that agreements such as treaties and self-government agreements in relation to child and family services between Indigenous groups and federal, provincial, or territorial governments that predate the coming-into-force of the act prevail in case of conflict.

• To facilitate the work of those providing child and family services, information will be posted on the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) website related to notices of intent, coordination agreements and Indigenous laws as they are made available: Notices and requests related to An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

[Download Act]

Tikinagan will continue to assist our communities and partner with them to ensure ongoing services to children, youth and families. We are committed to supporting and assisting all communities who are exploring and/or working on developing their own child welfare laws and delivery of services to their members wherever they reside.

Over the past four decades, Tikinagan has developed a unique service delivery model. The vision, goal and principles established by the Chiefs for Tikinagan have been fully integrated with Indigenous values and service delivery policies and procedures. Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin is a unique service model which means “everyone working together to raise our children." It is a system of protecting and caring for children and supporting families that has been designed and is delivered by First Nations people. This is a community-based approach to the inherent jurisdiction of First Nations based on traditional customary care practices.

Learn more about our supports for First Nations here.

Weagamow First Nation youth artist and Noodawishinaam Oshkiniigiwag (Hear Us Youth) member, Memekwe Apetawakeesic (Morriseau) drew the Niigaanshkawin project’s logo based on a childhood memory.

“When me and my family go woodcutting, my dad is often the first one to make a trail, so that’s what ‘Breaking Trail’ is for me,” explained Memekwe, 16.

“I’m proud of this logo, and I think it’s important that First Nation children learn about their own culture and traditions. I like the way that it represents how Anishinabe people are moving forward.”

The image, which took Memekwe about an hour to complete, was sketched on paper, then digitalized on her iPad.