SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Overview

The Social Development Department supports the political goals and aspirations of Anishinabek First Nations, through the coordination and development of strategies that address social policy and legislative issues from the Anishinabek Nation position to the federal and provincial governments and non-government organizations. Working towards achieving the departmental vision of a sovereign Anishinabek Nation with healthy children, youth and families.

We provide support and representation to our member First Nations in the areas of:

  • Child, Youth and Family Well-Being;
  • Anishinabek Nation Children’s Commissioner;
  • Band/First Nation Representative Services;
  • Anishinabek Nation Circle Process;
  • Repatriation;
  • Prevention Services;
  • Family Violence Prevention;
  • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls;
  • Human Trafficking;
  • Youth Programming, including Youth Culture Camps;
  • Youth Life Promotion; and
  • Social Assistance.

Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law

The Anishinabek Nation has developed a law that exercises Anishinabek First Nation inherent jurisdiction over child welfare. The Law was approved by Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Resolution in June of 2016. The Law also creates Koganaawsawin (the central coordinating body of the Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being System). Under this System, the Anishinabek First Nations are the lawmakers and are responsible to ensure the delivery of child and family services for Anishinabek families.

To date, 21 Anishinabek First Nations have chosen to enact the Law within their communities.

View the draft Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law HERE.

Anishinabek Nation Children and Youth Bill of Rights

In June of 2019, the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly approved the Anishinabek Children and Youth Bill of Rights. The Bill helps to ensure the success of our future generations and create the best future for our Nations.

View the Anishinabek Nation Children and Youth Bill of Rights HERE.

Anishinabek Nation’s MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ Men and Boys

Chiefs-in-Assembly stood united at the 2019 Grand Council Assembly in calling upon our Kwe-Wuk Council to give direction regarding the full implementation of the National Inquiry’s Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Including the 231 Calls to Justice. Our Kwe-Wuk Council developed the following MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ Men and Boys Strategic Action Plan.

View the Anishinabek Nation’s MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ Men and Boys Strategic Action Plan HERE.

Koganaawsawin

Koganaawsawin (raising up our children) is a collective body established by Anishinabek First Nations and Anishinabek child well-being agencies to support and further enhance the delivery of child, youth, and family well-being programs and services by the First Nations and agencies.

Koganaawsawin also supports Anishinabek First Nations who have chosen to enact the Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law within their communities.

To learn more about Koganaawsawin, visit: www.koganaawsawin.ca

Contacts

For all other inquiries please contact the Anishinabek Nation Head Office at 705-497-9127 and ask to speak with a staff member of the Social Development Department.

News

Interested in seeing what the Social Development Department has been up to? Check out our most recent newsletter: 2023