Child, Family & Community Services
Building Stronger Families & Relationships
Helping Our Citizens Across Manitoba
The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation CFS department operates in five locations: Nelson House, Thompson, South Indian Lake, Brandon and Winnipeg, and provides services for on- and off-reserve Citizens that include: protection services; services to families and to children in care; case management; family enhancement; and support services.
When possible, a comprehensive care plan is created for all family members to heal holistically. The Circle of Care model is used to plan with all entities involved, such as schools, Nursing Station, Medicine Lodge, Women’s Shelter, and more. It provides therapy, counselling, mentoring and other supportive services as required to families, parents, and children.
NCN CFS encourages its staff to learn, understand and appreciate NCN values, beliefs, customs and traditions. Staff and foster parents are expected to attend learning opportunities such as medicine-picking and ceremonies.
The NCN Child and Family Services is responsible for NCN children in Nelson House, Thompson, South Indian Lake (OPCN), Winnipeg and Brandon (with a presence in Leaf Rapids).
We coordinate the following programs:
- Therapy Services (Family and CFS)
- Wecihitowin Project
- Foster Care Program
- Removal of Parent Program
- Community Youth Cree Court Program
Family Therapy Services
Helping Families Heal
This department offers therapy and assessments to children and parents who are dealing with Child and Family Services.
The department provides:
- parenting capacity assessments
- group interventions on topics such as circle of security parenting, loss, trauma & self-harm
- Circle of Care meetings
- therapy
- family circles for loss & bereavement
Family Therapy Services also offers assistance to other NCN Citizens who wish to work on mental health and family concerns, and to other FCWC staff. It also provides support at community events.
This program currently operates in Nelson House. If you are in a different community, contact your local sub-office to ask about similar opportunities.
Wecihitowin Project
Connecting With Our Culture For a Stronger Community
We believe our community members can ease their struggles and find success through more engagement with traditional cultural practices. The Wecihitowin Project provides ongoing support for anyone in need with activities and resources that lead to healthier living options.
The Wecihitowin Project currently includes two Awasis workers and two NCN-CFS workers who deliver holistic services for people in every stage of life. We have had great success with community family spirit events, sharing circles, land-based activities, counselling, court support, transportation services and family conferencing.
We believe the future success of our people relies on embracing the traditional teachings of our past. Using the wisdom of our Elders, we have helped our participants deal with suicide, child apprehension, and addiction. Our participants have enjoyed Clan Mother Teachings, Spring Ceremonies, Women’s Retreats, Family Camps and Circles of Security.
Removal of Parent Program
NCN’s Innovative Approach to Healing
Prior to the Removal of Parent Program, apprehension was the only recognized approach to secure a child from an unsuitable living environment. We now know that removing a child from his or her home can result in depression, self-harm and a loss of culture and community.
Allowing the child to remain in familiar surroundings and schedules takes away their feelings of responsibility and blame, and keeps the onus on the parent to improve and reunify the family.
This innovative, community approach to avoiding the trauma of child apprehension is transforming NCN families. There are currently five homes in Nelson House used for this program.
How does the Removal of Parent Program work?
When called to a home, emergency duty workers conduct a safety assessment to decide if the child needs protection. Parents are assessed, children are continually monitored, and the Circle of Care planning process begins. Our team works together to identify all of the individual needs of each family member and creates a comprehensive plan to address these issues.
The parent is removed from the home for culturally appropriate counselling, treatment and therapy while the child remains at home with family or support staff and continues their daily routines. We help the family learn how to grow and thrive by reconnecting them to Indigenous traditions and culture.
Once the parent has met the conditions of their Circle of Care plan, they can be reunited with their children and enjoy a new way of life.
We stay involved with our families through special events and follow-up meetings to ensure everyone has the chance to live happy and healthy lives.
This program currently operates in Nelson House. If you are in a different community, contact your local sub-office to ask about similar opportunities.
NCN Community Youth Cree Court
Guiding our Children to a Better Path
The NCN Community Youth Cree Court aims to reclaim responsibility for our youth who commit minor crimes. Our professionals and Ketiyatisak (Elders) use holistic processes and traditional teachings to help these children make amends and restore community harmony.
The Court acknowledges many of our youth face struggles in their lives that led them to destructive choices. There are often generational issues that mean a child may not have a strong support system or helpful mentors. Once fully operational, the Court will help these children avoid the child welfare and criminal justice systems.
The Youth Cree Court was established in 2010. This innovative program is gaining recognition from the criminal and justice sector and other First Nations communities across Canada for its commitment to keeping our youth at home while leading them to a path of personal responsibility and citizenship.
Read more in the NCN Community Youth Cree Court Guidelines