PM, feds slammed for excluding First Nations from health care talks

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

First Nations leaders in Manitoba continued to slam the federal government and the prime minister on Jan. 31 for not inviting any First Nations leaders or representation to an upcoming meeting to discuss the state of health care in this country, and they are asking why the feds believe this country’s premiers should have the right to speak on behalf of First Nations people.

“We know the prime minister and the premiers from across Canada are meeting next week to discuss health care needs, and we know that we are not at the table, and that does not sit well with me,” Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kathy Merrick said on Tuesday morning, while speaking publicly at a health care summit in Winnipeg hosted by AMC.

“We forwarded a letter to the prime minister asking and telling that we need to be at the table.

“Who gave the provinces the right to present on our behalf?”

Merrick was referring to a meeting scheduled to take place in Ottawa on Feb. 7, which will see Canada’s premiers meet face-to-face with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss health care, and specifically health care funding, as provinces and territories look to get a bigger cut of the annual

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Training Coordinator – Full Time Permanent Position OFFICE: Regional Office LOCATION: The Pas, Manitoba

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services.

Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Human Resource Manager, the Training Coordinator will be responsible for designing, organizing, scheduling, and directing a wide range of training activities for the organization. The Training Coordinator will collaborate with the Unit Supervisors and Coordinators to identify training needs for all employees. The overall goal of the Training Coordinator is to provide and have confident and highly trained front line workers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Program Design

§ Program Implementation

§ Monitoring and Documentation

§ Reviews

QUALIFICATIONS

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred)

§ Must have a minimum of five years child welfare working directly with clients

§ Must have supervisory experience

§ Knowledge of Manitoba CFS Act and CFS Standards

§ Comprehensive knowledge of child welfare theory and practice and demonstrated experience in the development and provision of education and training within child welfare environments

§ Experience in providing and leading training or educational sessions, including being comfortable presenting to large groups

§ Computer skills is a definite asset: Microsoft (Teams, Powerpoint, Word, Excel)

§ Experience in curriculum development

§ CFSIS is an asset

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse and prior contact check

§ Cannot be active on a protection case

§ Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license

§ Must be willing to travel

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

Deadline: February 9, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

SUBMIT COVER LETTER & RESUME ALONG WITH THREE (3)

REFERENCES MARKED “PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL” TO:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency

Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0

Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

“Please visit our website at https://creenation.ca”

Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.

Canada Health Transfer.

AMC represents 62 First Nations communities in all corners of Manitoba, and Merrick said she is concerned that those at the meeting next week won’t understand the true scope of the challenges and issues facing Indigenous communities when it comes to accessing adequate health care.

“They don’t know how we live in our First Nations communities,” she said. “We encourage them to come to our communities and see the poverty many live in.”

She said inadequate health care in many First Nations communities in Manitoba results in shorter life expectancies, chronic illnesses, high cases of diabetes, and other health-related issues.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee also criticized the decision to have no First Nations representation at the Feb. 7 meeting, as he said the health care challenges for First Nations communities are often magnified further in the isolated northern Manitoba communities that MKO represents.

“It is a whole different scope of challenges when some of these communities don’t even have winter roads,” Settee said. “And it is only us who can determine what is best for our First Nations when it comes to health, and our people have to be consulted and our leaders have to be consulted before we accept any legislation.

“For too long we have allowed the state to determine what happens in our First Nations communities.”

The decision not to invite First Nations representation to the meeting was also criticized publicly on Jan. 30 by Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels (see related story on Page 11).

On Jan. 30, a spokesperson for federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos defended federal efforts to support health care for Indigenous people and to include Indigenous leaders and organizations in health care discussions, but did not say if there were any plans to invite any First Nations leaders to the Feb. 7 meeting in Ottawa.

“Our government continues to engage with Indigenous communities across the country regularly, whether through consultations on Indigenous data sovereignty, various FPTI meetings, anti-Indigenous racism in the health care system, and other initiatives to ensure we are working collaboratively and in partnership together,” the spokesperson said.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the government of Canada.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Family Enhancement Worker –Permanent Position Thompson Sub Office Thompson & Lynn Lake, MB

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services.

Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor(s), the Family Enhancement Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Responsible for gathering information and assessing child and family functioning problems;

§ Responsible for the development of case plans for children and families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving;

§ Responsible for all file documentation, referrals, ensuring services are applied;

§ Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up;

§ Provides case management and support for children in care and families.

QUALIFICATIONS

§ Work experience in Child and Family Services with demonstrated knowledge of child development, family centered service, early intervention, family support and community-based services;

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred);

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred);

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills;

§ Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and provincial standards;

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications including CFSIS and FACTS.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse and prior check;

§ Cannot be active on a protection case;

§ Maintain absolute confidentiality;

§ Varied amounts of travel required;

§ Travel is required to work in Lynn Lake office one week per month;

§ Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license;

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work;

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned.

Deadline: February 8, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

Submit cover letter & resume along with three (3) references marked “personal & confidential” to:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0

Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

“Please visit our website at https://creenation.ca” Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR – PERMANENT REGIONAL OFFICE

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency is situated on Opaskwayak

Cree Nation and is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. Under a provincial mandate, the Agency services the Swampy Cree communities, as well as Flin Flon, Thompson, Swan River, Winnipeg and Lynn Lake/ Marcel Colomb First Nation.

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention service. Our agency strives to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Service Manager, the Quality Assurance Coordinator is responsible for developing a framework that is based on the continual defining, measuring and improving of the quality of services. This framework focuses on services coordination, quality outcomes for children and families, effective and efficient systems and processes, relevant indicators and collaborative teamwork with First Nation Child and Family Services Agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Program design

§ Program implementation

§ Standards training

§ Monitoring

§ Compliance Reviews

QUALIFICATIONS:

§ Work experience in Child and Family Services with demonstrated knowledge of child development, family centered service, early intervention, family support and community based services.

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred)

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

§ Knowledge of the CFS Act and provincial standards

§ Maintain strict confidentiality

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse registry check and prior contact check.

§ Cannot be active on a protection case.

§ Must maintain absolute confidentiality in accordance with agency requirements.

§ May be assigned to provide coverage or support for other office locations from time to time and as required.

Deadline: February 8, 2023

SUBMIT COVER LETTER & RESUME ALONG WITH THREE (3)

REFERENCES MARKED “PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL” TO:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0 Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

“Please visit our website at https://creenation.ca”

Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.