Sask. First Nations developing own standards for child welfare

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations issetting upa new institute to deal with on-reserve child welfare programs.

The Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community Institute will create its own guidelines for running on-reserve agencies, along with its own training materials and programs for child welfare workers.

Previously, this was done by the provincial government, which will continue to be ultimately responsible for child welfare at the 18 agencies.

Federation Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild said it's important that First Nations start running their own affairs.

"The institute is going to do many things, not just monitor but develop training standards and referrals and methods of adding capacity to the agencies," he said.

The institute is supported by Marvin Bernstein, Saskatchewan's children's advocate. Bernstein said it's a good idea to have all First Nations child care agencies undergoing the same training and standards.

"Those First Nations child and family services agencies that perhaps are having more challenges will be supported by the institute, will be enabled and empowered," Bernstein said.

In recent months, controversies have surrounded some on- and off-reserve child welfare agencies.

Twenty-one children were removed from the Four Directions Group Home on the Muskowekan First Nation at the end of April because of concerns over inadequate programming and substandard care.

The Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community Institute is expected to be up and running in the next few weeks. It's receiving $400,000 from the provincial government.