The child welfare agency governing Peguis First Nation revealed recent statistics indicating the success of a system established through a significant agreement in 2023, despite the chief’s call to dismantle the arrangement over supervision concerns. Former Chief Glenn Hudson, who oversaw the initial agreement, disagreed with Chief Dr. Stan Bird’s assessment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration rather than scrapping the agreement. Bird, in a joint press conference with Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, urged for the termination of the agreement, citing concerns about the system’s failure to provide adequate oversight to ensure the well-being of children and families.
In 2023, under Hudson’s leadership, Peguis became the first Indigenous community in Manitoba to enter into a coordination agreement with the federal and provincial governments, transferring child welfare authority to Peguis and establishing Peguis Child and Family Services. This transition was enabled by federal Bill C-92, granting Indigenous communities the power to assume control over local child welfare services.
Following Bird’s criticisms, Peguis CFS released a statement asserting the effective operation of the system, highlighting data indicating a significant decrease in the number of children under care and a high percentage placed with family or loved ones. The agency also updated its website, including information on how individuals can file complaints with the quality assurance coordinator.
Hudson emphasized the significance of the agreement in granting sovereignty over child welfare decisions to Peguis, stressing the need for internal resolution of concerns rather than dismantling the arrangement. He highlighted community engagement prior to finalizing the agreement and expressed his efforts to challenge the election results that led to Bird’s victory.
Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine is set to meet with Chief Bird to address his apprehensions about the agreement. Bird reiterated the flaws in the current system and the necessity for enhanced safeguards, oversight, and accountability mechanisms to protect children and families. He called for the renegotiation of the agreement to incorporate these essential elements and ensure the well-being of the community members.
Bird referenced the need for an external review mechanism similar to the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, emphasizing the importance of independent oversight in child welfare matters. The Manitoba Foster Parent Association president echoed the concerns about oversight and the importance of kinship and customary care models, supporting Bird’s call for increased accountability and external review mechanisms within the child welfare system.
