The 90,000-strong Métis community in British Columbia is one step closer to taking over child welfare authority for their children and families, with the historic signing of an agreement between the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and the Province.

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development, signed the MNBC and British Columbia Joint Commitment (joint commitment) with MNBC president Clara Morin Dal Col at a ceremony in Kamloops, setting the goal of transferring authority to MBNC by 2021.

The main objectives of the joint commitment are to significantly reduce the number of Métis children and youth in government care, support family preservation, and work on the legislative and other requirements to support transfer of authority over B.C.’s Métis children and families to MNBC.

Currently, the approximately 520 Métis children and youth in government care receive services through the ministry, through delegated Métis-serving agencies in Kamloops or Surrey, and, where agreed, through other delegated Aboriginal agencies around the province.

Following the transfer of authority, the ministry will be able to refer Métis children and families to Métis-specific child and family services as established by MNBC. Over the next three years, the ministry and MNBC will develop the requirements necessary for the legislative  transfer of authority.

In September 2016, MNBC, the Métis Commission and the ministry established the Métis Working Table (MWT), to address systemic issues with services to Métis children and families. A Métis practice working table also focuses on social welfare practice issues related to planning for Métis children. The MWT will lead discussions to support the transfer of child welfare jurisdiction.

Overview

• As of April 2018, there were approximately 520 Métis children in care (not including those under voluntary care or special needs agreements).
• There is no recognized land base for Métis in B.C., and they do not have the same funding relationship with the federal government as First Nations communities.
• The ministry provides $100,000 annually to MNBC to support cultural training for ministry staff, and training, education and support for Métis youth aging out of care.
• There are two Delegated Aboriginal Agencies (DAAs) providing services to Métis children and families — the Métis Family Services in Surrey and Lii Michif Otipemisiwak — that received full delegation in November 2017.
• In May 2018, the Province introduced draft principles to guide the implementation of the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada’s Calls to Action.
• The 10 draft principles will guide provincial government employees in their daily work with Indigenous peoples in the spirit of respect and collaboration.

Resources

• Draft principles to guide British Columbia’s relationship with Indigenous peoples
• Métis Nation British Columbia’s services to children and families