Neskantaga First Nation has launched a new child and family services program aimed at reducing the number of Indigenous children in foster care, a system that disproportionately affects Indigenous communities. Chris Moonias, the program’s manager and former chief, emphasizes that the program will be run by community members for the community, focusing on prevention and strengthening family ties. Indigenous children make up nearly 54% of Canada’s foster care population, despite representing only 7.7% of the child population. The new initiative offers services like land-based activities, parent mentoring, workshops, and education on child maltreatment, all designed to address issues before they lead to child welfare involvement.
Moonias also highlights the need to recognize systemic inequities, such as the impact of residential schools and colonialism, on parenting abilities. The program seeks to break these cycles by providing culturally relevant support and formalizing child and family laws aligned with Neskantaga’s traditions. The community is working with Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP to draft its child and family law, ensuring it reflects their values and customs. The goal is to create a legal framework that empowers Neskantaga to care for its children and families independently, breaking the cycle of over-representation in mainstream child welfare systems.
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