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.

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.

Corps dirigeants autochtones

Un des principaux objectifs de la Loi concernant les enfants, les jeunes et les familles des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis est d’affirmer le droit inhérent à l’autonomie gouvernementale permettant à un groupe, une collectivité ou un peuple autochtones d’adopter leurs propres lois en matière de fourniture de services à l’enfant et à la famille aux membres de leur communauté. Les articles 20 à 24 définissent le processus à cette fin. Les dispositions législatives prévoient qu’un corps dirigeant autochtone avise de l’intention d’un groupe, d’une collectivité ou d’un peuple autochtones d’exercer cette compétence législative. L’entrée en vigueur de toute loi d’un groupe, d’une collectivité ou d’un peuple autochtones a force de loi, à titre de loi fédérale. Cela signifie que la présente loi l’emporte sur toute disposition législative provinciale