Aboriginal Justice Inquiry Child Welfare Initiative
Link to Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Link to Manitoba Metis Federation Link to Manitoba Keewatinow Okimakinak Link to Province of Manitoba

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ("MOU")

Between:

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Inc.

(as represented by the Grand Chief)

("MKO")

- and -

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Manitoba

(as represented by the Minister of Family Services and Housing

and the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs),

("Manitoba").

WHEREAS:

  1. The MKO First Nations assert that the Creator has given First Nations peoples rights, powers and responsibilities with respect to child and family matters in their traditional territories since time immemorial.
  2. The parties agree that a process shall be established to implement changes in the delivery of child and family services programs in Manitoba based upon the Child Welfare Recommendations as set forth in the Report of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba (1991) (AJI Report).
  3. The parties acknowledge that the First Nations Child and Family Services Agencies are currently governed by The Child and Family Services Act and The Adoption Act in the delivery of child and family services and programs in Manitoba in accordance with the Declaration of Principles as set forth in The Child and Family Services Act, as well as the Purpose of The Adoption Act as set forth in section 3 thereof.
  4. The parties acknowledge that the delivery of child and family services and programs to First Nations people must occur in a manner which respects their unique status, as well as their cultural and linguistic heritage.
  5. The parties acknowledge that the family is sacred and the first resource for the well-being of children.
  6. The parties acknowledge that the First Nations people have a right to control the delivery of child and family services and programs for their respective First Nations members.
  7. The First Nations have undertaken a plan of action to design, develop and implement First Nations jurisdiction and authority with respect to child and family services.
  8. The parties agree that Manitoba will participate upon invitation by the parties to the Manitoba Framework Agreement Initiative ("MFAI") in discussions regarding jurisdiction, policy, funding, and development of child and family services to First Nations people.
  9. The parties acknowledge that the development of community based solutions with respect to both the delivery of child and family services and programs, as well as adoption services are the most effective and practical approach towards ensuring self-determination and healthy communities.

NOW THEREFORE THE PARTIES hereby agree to adopt the process as hereinafter described towards achieving the following objective.

This MOU shall be effective from the date of execution and will remain in effect for a three (3) year period (the term).

OBJECTIVE

1.1 The parties acknowledge that First Nations shall be responsible for the delivery of the full range of services under The Child and Family Services Act, as well as adoption services under The Adoption Act to First Nation members residing on- and off-reserve in Manitoba.

PROCESS


2.1 The parties shall enter into a separate arrangement, hereinafter referred to as the "Child and Family Services Protocol," that will provide the framework for a joint implementation process leading to the establishment of a province-wide child and family services mandate for First Nations (attached).
2.2 The parties acknowledge that the "Protocol" will include the developmental requirements for legislative changes, new institutional arrangements as may be appropriate and/or feasible in the delivery of child and family services to First Nations.
2.3 The Parties agree that upon invitation by the parties to the MFAI, Manitoba will accept the invitation to join the MFAI and participate in addressing, among other issues, matters of jurisdiction and funding of First Nations child and family services

NON-DEROGATION

3.1 This MOU shall not diminish, derogate or abrogate any existing treaty, legal or inherent rights of First Nations people (Section 35(1) of The Constitution Act).
3.2 This MOU shall not impede any existing initiatives or processes in the development of the Manitoba Framework Initiative.

TERM

This MOU shall be effective from the date of execution and will remain in effect for a three (3) year period (the term).

4.1 This MOU shall be reviewed annually by the parties during the term in order to assess the progress of the Child and Family Services Protocol, including the discussions with respect to First Nations jurisdiction.

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 The parties may revise this MOU during the term hereof in writing.
5.2 Any party may terminate this MOU upon three (3) months written notice to the other parties.
5.3 Nothing in this MOU is intended to preclude bilateral discussions or the reaching an agreement on any matter of mutual interest between AMC/MKO and Manitoba.
5.4 The parties acknowledge that this MOU is not a legally binding instrument but rather a common resolve to establish a joint implementation process, referred to as the Child and Family Services Protocol, in a manner that is consistent with the objective as set forth in paragraph 1.1.
5.5 Any notice or other communication to any of the parties hereto under this MOU shall be in writing, and shall be delivered personally to each of the parties, or an officer thereof, or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid or by facsimile transmission, to:
  MKO at:

Manitoba at:
200-701 Thompson Drive, Thompson MB R8N 2A0
Fax: (204) 778-7655
201 – 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg MB R3C 4V5
Fax: (204) 945-6717

Memoranda of Understanding Page

 

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