First Nations Family Advocate Office
About FNFAO
The First Nations Family Advocate Office (FNFAO) was established by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs on June 1, 2015. The office received the name “Abinoojiyak Bigiiwewag,” meaning “Our Children are Coming Home,” during a ceremonial opening.
In the province of Manitoba, there are approximately 12,000 children under the care of Child and Family Services (CFS), and a significant 90 percent of them are Indigenous. These alarming numbers can be attributed to the devastating impacts of Indian Residential Schools and the 60s Scoop, which has caused immense harm to individuals, families, and communities.
Recognizing the urgent need to address the crisis of Indigenous children in CFS care, First Nations families and children involved with the CFS system expressed a strong desire for solutions. In May 2014, community engagement events were held in Winnipeg and Thompson, Manitoba, where several hundred community members shared their personal experiences with the CFS system. These stories shed light on the challenges faced while navigating the system and the systemic shortcomings in ensuring fairness and justice.
Based on the insights gathered from the community engagement sessions, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs released the Bringing Our Children Home Report (BOCH). This report presented ten recommendations aimed at promptly addressing the identified issues and concerns.
One of the key recommendations put forth in the report was the establishment of the FNFAO, which serves as an additional avenue for implementing the BOCH Report recommendations.
Since its inception, the FNFAO has processed intake for over 800 families striving to have their children returned from CFS care to their homes or home communities. The demand for the office’s services continues to grow as more families, parents, and grandparents seek assistance.
What sets the FNFAO apart is its unique mandate from the Manitoba Chiefs. The office’s advocacy work encompasses comprehensive support for the entire family while advocating for First Nation-led solutions to address the CFS crisis in Manitoba. Operating independently from the current CFS system, the FNFAO acknowledges that empowering a provincial system that has clearly failed First Nation children, families, and communities is not a viable approach.
For inquiries, contact:
PH: 204-957-8450
Toll-free 1-855-996-9989
FAX: 204-943-2369
EMAIL: fnfao@manitobachiefs.com
FNFAO MOU Project
Memorandum of Understanding Between AMC and Canada
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the Government of Canada. The AMC is represented by its Grand Chief, while Canada is represented by the Ministers of Indigenous Services and Crown-Indigenous Relations.
The agreement recognizes that First Nations in Manitoba, including the Anishinaabeg, Anishininniwak, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Nehethuwuk / Inninwak, and others, have inherent rights over the well-being of their families and children, as protected by their Aboriginal and Treaty rights. It acknowledges the special relationship these First Nations have with Canada.
This MOU commits both the AMC and Canada to work together to renew a Nation-to-Nation relationship based on respect, cooperation, and partnership. It focuses on discussing and addressing issues related to First Nation child and family welfare services in Manitoba. Both parties agree to support the aspirations of First Nations in Manitoba to take care of their families and children and to work towards positive outcomes that benefit all involved.
Read the Memorandum of Understanding
Setting the Foundation for Change
This report is the strategy for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs on child welfare reform. It contains the findings from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Women’s Council Strategic Planning Session on child and family welfare held on March 9 and 10, 2018. The Women’s Council oversees the child and family welfare file at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and developed this foundational strategy to assist in navigating the current Manitoba Child and Family Services landscape and to guide further work on the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Government of Canada Memorandum of Understanding on child welfare reform.
Read Setting the Foundation for change Report PDF
Keewaywin: Our Way Home
Manitoba First Nations Engagement on First Nations Child and Family Services
Keewaywin: Our Way Home, Manitoba First Nations Engagement on First Nations Child and Family Services contains the main findings and recommendations from engagement sessions and meetings with 20 First Nations in Manitoba.
Responding to the highest child apprehension rate in Canada, Manitoba Chiefs-in-Assembly supported a resolution to hold a Special Chiefs Assembly and open forums for concerned First Nation citizens on the topic of First Nation families and child welfare.
The report and its 10 recommendations revealed the current child welfare system in Manitoba is simply an extension of cultural genocide practices found in the residential school system and 60s Scoop. Following review of the report, Manitoba Chiefs-in-Assembly directed the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to develop an action plan to implement report recommendations.
Jordan’s Principle is a child-first and needs-based principle that applies equally to all First Nations children resident on or off reserve. It ensures there is no denial or delay for First Nations children in receiving essential public services that are available to all other children by having the government department of first contact pay for the service.