Indigenous Laws & Governing Bodies
Our Statement
An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Bill C-92) came into force in its entirety on January 1, 2020. This legislation was co-developed with Indigenous partners with the goal of keeping Indigenous children and youth connected to their families, communities, and culture.
It affirms the inherent right of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to move forward with legislation to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services at a pace that they choose.
In the spirit of reconciliation, the General Child and Family Services Authority (GA) and its Board of Directors fully support all Indigenous Governing Bodies drawing down jurisdiction of child and family services for their members in the coming years.
We would like to acknowledge and congratulate Peguis First Nation on the historic precedent of the enactment of their Honouring our Children, Families and Nation Act on Jan. 21, 2022. This law recognizes the right of Peguis First Nation to care for its children and families through their Indigenous legal traditions, customs and governance. Peguis Child and Family Services is the first agency in Manitoba to deliver child and family services to their community members under Indigenous law.
Énoncé du conseil d’administration de la RG
La Loi concernant les enfants, les jeunes et les familles des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis (projet de loi C-92) est pleinement entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2020. Ce projet de loi a été élaboré conjointement avec des partenaires autochtones afin de protéger les liens qu’entretiennent les enfants et les jeunes autochtones avec leur famille, leur communauté et leur culture.
Elle affirme le droit inhérent des communautés des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis à mettre en œuvre la loi pour exercer leur compétence en matière de services à l’enfance et à la famille à leur propre rythme.
Dans un esprit de réconciliation, la Régie générale des services à l’enfant et à la famille (RG) soutient pleinement tous les corps dirigeants autochtones (CDA) réduisant les attributions des services à l’enfance et à la famille pour leurs membres.
Nous tenons aussi à reconnaitre et féliciter la Première Nation de Peguis pour le précédent historique que représente la promulgation le 21 janvier 2022 de leur loi Honouring our Children, Families and Nation Act (Loi honorant nos enfants, nos familles et notre nation). Cette loi reconnait le droit de la Première Nation de Peguis de s’occuper de ses enfants et de ses familles selon ses traditions, coutumes et gouvernance juridiques autochtones. Peguis Child and Family Services représente le premier office au Manitoba offrant des services à l’enfance et à la famille aux membres de sa communauté en vertu du droit autochtone.
Links to Legislation
An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families Receives Royal Assent
Peguis First Nation Honouring Our Children, Families and Nation Act
https://irp.cdn-website.com/8a5c0cb0/files/uploaded/2021-11-16%20%20-%20PFN%20HOCFNA%20%283%29.pdf
Indigenous Governing Bodies
One of the primary purposes of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families is to affirm the inherent right of self-government by enabling an Indigenous group, community or people to pass their own legislation for the delivery of child and family services to their community members. Sections 20 through 24 set out the process for this to occur. The legislation requires that an Indigenous Governing Body (IGB) provide notice of the Indigenous group, community or people’s intent to exercise this legislative authority. Any law of an Indigenous group, community or people that comes into force will have the force of federal law. This means that the law will prevail over provincial legislation.
The law of an Indigenous group, community or people can only come into force if an IGB has entered into a tripartite coordination agreement with both the federal and provincial governments or has not entered into such an agreement after making reasonable efforts to do so over a twelve month period.
Current List of declared Indigenous Governing Bodies that require Notice of significant measure under Section 12 (1) of the Act Respecting Indigenous, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families:
| Province/Territory | IGB | Indigenous Community(ies) Represented by IGB |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Wabauskang First Nation Band Representative Program | Wabauskang First Nation |
| Alberta | Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada (Rocky Mountain People) | Muskeg Seepee Cooperative Susa Creek Cooperative Kamisak Enterprise Victor Lake Cooperative Joachim Enterprise Wanyandie Flats Cooperative |
| Alberta | Western Cree Tribal Council | Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Horse Lake First Nation Duncan's First Nation |
| British Columbia | Band Council of Gwa’sala- ‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation | Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation |
| British Columbia | Council of the Tl'etinqox Government | Tl'etinqox (Anaham) |
| British Columbia | Cowichan Tribes Chief and Council | Kw’amutsun Qwum’yiqun’ Hwulqwselu S’amuna’ L’uml’umuluts Hinupsum Tl’ulpalus |
| British Columbia | Lake Babine Nation | Lake Babine Nation |
| British Columbia | McLeod Lake Indian Band | McLeod Lake Indian Band |
| British Columbia | Nisga’a Lisims Government | Nisga’a Lisims Nation: Gitlaxt'aamiks (formerly New Aiyansh) Village Nisga'a Village of Gitlakdamix Laxgalts’ap Village Gingolx Village |
| British Columbia | Simpcw Chief and Council | Simpcw First Nation |
| British Columbia | Tla'amin Nation | Tla'amin Nation Formerly, known as Sliammon First Nation |
| British Columbia | Toquaht Nation Government | Toquaht Nation |
| British Columbia | West Moberly First Nations Chief and Council | West Moberly First Nations |
| Manitoba | Dakota Tiwahe Services Inc. | Sioux Valley Dakota Nation |
| Manitoba | Island Lake First Nations/ Island Lake Anishininew Nation | Garden Hill First Nation Red Sucker Lake First Nation St. Theresa Point First Nation Wasagamack First Nation |
| Manitoba | Long Plain First Nation | Long Plain First Nation |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Metis Federation | Manitoba Metis Community |
| Manitoba | MKO Child Welfare Secretariat (authorized by Shamattawa First Nation) | Shamattawa First Nation Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. |
| Manitoba | Norway House Cree Nation Chief and Council | Norway House Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | Opaskwayak Cree Nation | Opaskwayak Cree Nation |
| Manitoba | Peguis First Nation | Peguis First Nation |
| Manitoba | Pinaymootang First Nation (Treaty 2) | Pinaymootang First Nation |
| Manitoba | Sagkeeng First Nation Chief and Council | Sagkeeng First Nation |
| Manitoba | Southern Network of Care (authorized by Bloodvein FN) | Bloodvein First Nation |
| Northwest Territories | Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (Non-Legal Significant Measures) | Inuvialuit |
| Northwest Territories | Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (Legal Significant Measures) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Mushuau Innu First Nation | Mushuau Innu First Nation |
| Northwest Territories | Northwest Territory Metis Nation | Northwest Territory Metis Nation |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | NunatuKavut Community Council | NunatuKavut Inuit |
| Northwest Territories | Salt River First Nation | Salt River First Nation |
| Nunavut | Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) | Kivalliq Region: Rankin Inlet Arviat Baker Lake Chesterfield Inlet Coral Harbour Naujaat Sanikiluaq Whale Cove |
| Nunavut | Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) | Kitikmeot Region: Cambridge Bay Gjoa Haven Kugluktuk Kugaaruk Taloyoak |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) | Inuit Qikiqtani Region Kivalliq Region Kitikmeot Region |
| Nunavut | Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) | Qikiqtani Region (Baffin Region): Grise Fiord Pangnirtung Arctic Bay Pond Inlet Clyde River Qikiqtarjuaq Iqaluit Kimmirut Kinngait Cape Dorset Sanikiluaq Hall Beach Igloolik Resolute Bay |
| Ontario | Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek First Nation (Grassy Narrows First Nation) | Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek First Nation (Grassy Narrows First Nation) |
| Ontario | Biigtigong Nishhaabeg | Biigtigong Nishnaabeg |
| Ontario | Iskatewizaagegan No.39 Independent First Nation (Shoal Lake No.39 First Nation) | Iskatewizaagegan No.39 Independent First Nation (Shoal Lake No.39 First Nation) |
| Ontario | Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (Big Trout Lake First Nation) | Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (Big Trout Lake First Nation) |
| Ontario | Lac Seul First Nation | Lac Seul First Nation |
| Ontario | Sandy Lake First Nation | Sandy Lake First Nation |
| Ontario | Shoal Lake #40 First Nation | Shoal Lake #40 First Nation |
| Ontario | Wabaseemoong Independent Nations | Wabaseemoong Independent Nations Whitedog One Man Lake |
| Saskatchewan | Cowessess First Nation | Cowessess |