‘Historical failures:’ Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons apologizes to Indigenous Peoples

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba has apologized for what it said was its long-standing role in contributing to anti-Indigenous racism in the local healthcare system and for how that racism affected generations of Indigenous people and communities.

“CPSM’s failure to regulate the medical profession’s current and past racist treatment of Indigenous peoples is a tragic part of CPSM’s 150year history,” the CPSM said Jan. 31.

“CPSM apologizes to First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, families, and Elders for the racism that has occurred in their medical care, whether it was in the care they received, or should have received but did not.”

According to the CPSM website, since being found- ed in 1871, their mandate has been to “protect the public as consumers of medical care, and promote the safe and ethical delivery of quality medical care by physicians in Manitoba.”

In their apology, the organization said it has not properly addressed anti-Indigenous racism that has come both from medical professionals and from the health-care system.

“CPSM recognizes the historical failures of the medical profession to address the racist and consequently substandard medical care provided. CPSM recognizes the collective role of the medical profession in providing medical care to Indigenous peoples which is impacted by systemic colonial values, individual biases, and racist attitudes,” the organization said.

The organization also said that racism in the health-care system and among health-care professionals in Manitoba has

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT/OFFICE: THOMPSON CENTRAL OFFICE (TCO) LOCATION: THOMPSON, MB

Position: Child Maltreatment Prevention Worker

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

Summary of Position:

Under the Family Enhancement program, working within the Child Abuse Prevention and Investigation department, the Child Maltreatment Prevention Worker provides education and awareness surrounding abuse in all forms. Working in a confidential environment, the Child Maltreatment Prevention Worker demonstrates a high level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and logic to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts. The incumbent collaborates with the communities in which Awasis Agency provide service, individuals, families, advocates, and service providers.

Qualifications:

• Degree/Diploma in social work, education, community studies or a related field.

• Three (3) years’ related experience in Child and Family Services.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and a strong understanding of The Child and Family Services Act, Child Abuse Regulations, Provincial Program Standards, Agency Policies and Procedures.

• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances require.

• Average to above average skill in MS Word, Excel, Outlook PowerPoint and Teams required.

• Highly flexible, adaptable, resourceful, with solid interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse working environment.

• Able to work successfully as part of a team, as well as independently.

• Demonstrated effective organizational, time management and prioritizing skills.

• Strong morals and ethics, along with a commitment to confidentiality and staff privacy.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to Northern First Nations Children, Families, and communities.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to speak Cree or Dene an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced child welfare environment.

• Manual dexterity required to use computer and peripherals.

• Provide satisfactory Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks prior to starting the position, and throughout employment as required

• Overtime may be required.

• Overnight and remote travel approximately 50% of time.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.

Closing Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2023-012 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba

Competition #2023-012

701 Thompson Drive. Thompson, MB R8N 2A2

Fax: 204-778-8428 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster historically led to, and continues to lead to poor health outcomes for Indigenous people in Manitoba, resulting in the “suffering and deaths of a disproportionate number of Indigenous patients.”

A University of Manitoba study released in 2019 said that the “health gap” between First Nations people and nonFirst Nations people in this province was growing, as it showed an 11-year age gap between life expectancy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, up from a seven-year gap that was recorded in 2002.

“Racism by medical professionals, like many social determinants of health, has a negative impact on health outcomes. We apologize for the intergenerational trauma, suffering, poor health out- comes, and death that this has caused,” CPSM said.

CPSM said they now pledge to “take action” against Indigenous-specific racism and to “support and guide Manitoba physicians, residents, students, clinical assistants, and physician assistants to recognize and call out acts of racism against Indigenous persons.”

Cathy Merrick, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said Indigenous leaders are now “cautiously optimistic” that CPSM will follow through on the improvements they have pledged to make.

She said that representatives with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba recently met with CPSM officials to discuss ways to address anti-Indigen-

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

CIC Supervisor – Perm Position

Winnipeg Sub Office Winnipeg, 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:

The Child in Care Supervisor is responsible for all aspects of the effective day to day supervision of agency social workers and others assigned to the unit as well as all aspects of related service and program delivery activities. The Child in Care Supervisor will ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the Child and Family Services Act, the Adoptions, Act, related Regulations and Standards, as well as CNCFCA policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ General Supervision

§ Supervision of Unit Service Delivery

§ Workplace Safety and Health

§ Human Resources

§ Training & Development

§ Unit Activity and Performance Reports

§ Financial and Operational Requirements

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

§ 5 years supervisory/management experience within an aboriginal child welfare environment

§ Knowledge of AJI-CWI Devolution

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

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

§ Understanding of child development theory and practice

§ Knowledge of available resources within the community (formal and informal)

§ Knowledge of Family Systems theory

§ Working knowledge of child abuse

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and data base systems

§ CFSIS and FACTS information systems (preferred)

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.

§ Varied amounts of travel required within this position

§ Must have a valid Manitoba’s driver’s license;

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work;

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned.

Deadline: February 14, 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 ous racism in the local healthcare system.

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

“Please visit our website at www.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.

“This formal apology is only a beginning to address those barriers of systemic racism in health care that affect patient safety,” Merrick said.

“It is incumbent on all of us to improve the treatment and care for First Nations people.”

Dr. Mary Jane McCallum, a history professor at the University of Winnipeg and an expert in Indigenous history, said in a 2022 interview with the Winnipeg Sun that she often hears from Indigenous people who say that when they enter health-care facilities in this country, they immediately assume they will be forced to deal with racism and negative stereotypes.

“Many Indigenous people still anticipate racism when going to a hospital or healthcare facility,” McCallum said.

She added that systemic racism in this country’s healthcare system has led to a system that values Indigenous people less than non-Indigenous people.

“It produces an indifference to Indigenous suffering,” McCallum 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

Administrative Assistant –Permanent Position

Grand Rapids Sub Office

Misipawistik Cree Nation

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 Service Manager, the Administrative Assistant serves as the first point of contact for Agency clients, guests, visitors or others. The Administrative Assistant serves to receive and direct people, correspondence and contact/calls to the appropriate Agency personnel or department. The Administrative Assistant provides a professional and pleasant point of entry for the Agency and will maintain strict confidentiality in performing all duties.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Types, edits, formats and transcribes reports, forms, correspondence, files, recordings, minutes, case planning notes and other material as assigned by the Unit Supervisor. Composes routine correspondence and maintains templates;

§ Receives, screens, assesses, transfers telephone calls and takes messages;

§ Maintains daily attendance records, monitors, records, and relays information regarding staff whereabouts;

§ Assists with photocopying, faxing and other administrative duties as assigned;

§ Manages incoming and outgoing mail;

§ Provides information about administrative procedures for all unit staff;

§ Coordinates meetings and meeting spaces. Takes minutes at meetings as required;

§ Enters information on CFSIS;

§ Monitors and operates office equipment;

§ Provides support to other administrative staff as needed;

§ Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the agency policy and procedures;

§ Petition documents;

§ Apprehension papers;

§ File court documents;

§ Attend court when required;

§ Order birth certificates.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

§ Post Secondary Diploma or equivalent;

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred);

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and database systems;

§ Ability to deal effectively with a variety of visitors and circumstances;

§ Knowledge of customer service (preferred);

§ Good organizational skills and working knowledge of office and administrative procedures and related equipment (preferred);

§ Excellent oral and effective communication skills (preferred).

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;

§ 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.