Our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
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Land Acknowledgment
BGCFS wishes to acknowledge the Territory of the Anishinabek Nation: The People of the Three Fires known as Ojibway, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. We celebrate and give thanks for the Chippewas of Nawash and the Chippewas of Saugeen, collectively known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation as the traditional keepers of this land that we share.
We honour the treaties and thank the Nations for their stewardship of this land. We live among the Metis people who share this territory as well. We do this with a spirit of reconciliation and with recognition of the harm done to families by our historical practices. We do so with the intent to honour the truth and find a new and respectful path forward.
Bruce Grey Child and Family Services is committed to the Truth and Reconciliation process and journey to support and promote Indigenous wellbeing.
Our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
On June 6, 2017, the Ontario child welfare sector unanimously agreed to prioritize Reconciliation with Indigenous communities through nine key commitments. Each Children’s Aid Society (CAS) has committed to:
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Reduce Children In Care
Reduce the number of Indigenous children in care.
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Reduce the Number of Legal Files
Reduce the number of legal files involving Indigenous children and families.
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Formal Customary Care Agreements
Increase the use of Formal Customary Care* agreements.
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Indigenous Representation and Involvement
Ensure Indigenous representation and involvement at the local Board of Directors.
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Staff Training
Implement mandatory Indigenous training for staff.
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Jordan’s Principle
Change their inter-agency protocol to include Jordan’s Principle** as a fundamental principle.
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Develop a Unique Agency-Based Plan
In consultation with the Indigenous communities, develop a unique agency-based plan to better address the needs of the children and families from those communities.
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Develop Relationships
Continue to develop relationships between their agency and the local Indigenous communities.
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Historical Files
Assist those individuals wanting to see their historical files by accessing and providing the information they request.
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*Customary care leaves the responsibility for the care of the child with the Indigenous community.
**Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle aimed at ensuring that services to First Nations children are not denied, delayed, or disrupted due to jurisdictional disputes. The principle is named for Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Learn more here.
Resources
To read more about Truth and Reconciliation and the child welfare sector, please see the following resources.