For our Children
An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families came into effect on January 1, 2020. This meant federal backing for Nations to develop and practice child and family law their way.
In collaboration with member communities, CSFS is developing child and family legislation based on cultural practices and teachings. This law will not be new to Yinka Dene – we have had laws since time immemorial. Together, we are reawakening laws that cared for children, families, and communities long before colonial governments came to these lands.
This is Kahe dee’zeehle, our journey to a future where every Carrier and Sekani child has the right to live up to their full potential.
(We are going to take back what’s been ours)
Why we do this work
“It is a hot, sticky day — dust from the unpaved roads seems to linger in the stagnant air — this doesn’t dissuade the children from playing in the open fields by the dusty street. Even the birds are too hot to sing so the only noise on Wells Street is the sound of laughing and shrieking coming from the wild and free children unencumbered from worry and hurt; even for just a few happy moments…”
“Upholding well-being” has been identified as the best fit for the process of transitioning authority over child and family decision-making back to communities. “Well-being” can be defined both collectively and individually; it is defined by each person, family, and community. Together, CSFS and member communities are identifying what Carrier and Sekani children, youth, families and Elders need for a future of thriving communities.
Information gathered from community engagements, working group sessions with Matriarchs and Knowledge Holders, and knowledge from historic videos and recordings are being compiled as the data informing the transition to a Carrier Sekani child and family well-being law. Community conversations are ongoing, with more sessions being planned for communities, urban centres, and virtual audiences.
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Two core values of the team doing this work are:
As an organization, CSFS is guided by Carrier and Sekani values that have been passed down to us from our ancestors: compassion, honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility and trust. We are committed to living out these values in our daily work, and in our interactions with one another and with the Nations we serve.
Learn more about the jurisdiction journey in the FAQ section.
