M INISTERIAL P ANEL ON C HILD I NTERVENTION

M EETING S UMMAR Y

Monday, October 2, 9:00am to 4:00pm

Introduction

The meeting of the Ministerial Panel on Child Intervention was held at the Gymnasium of the Paul First Nation School in Paul First Nation, on traditional Treaty 6 territory. The day started with a pipe ceremony, followed by a welcome song and drumming, and prayers led by Elders Kirby Bird and Edna Rain.

Chief and Council and Panel members held an in-camera meeting followed by the public portion of the meeting.

Panel Members Present:

Chair Debbie Jabbour, MLA for Peace River Maria Fitzpatrick, MLA for Lethbridge-East Nicole Goehring, MLA for -Castle Downs Heather Sweet, MLA for Edmonton-Manning Erin Babcock, MLA for Stony Plain Dr. David Swann, Liberal caucus, MLA for Calgary-Mountain View Ric McIver, United Conservative Party caucus, MLA for Calgary-Hays Greg Clark, caucus, MLA for Calgary-Elbow Scott Cyr, United Conservative Party caucus, MLA for -Cold Lake Dr. Peter Choate, MSW, PhD, Mount Royal University Bruce MacLaurin, MSW, University of Calgary

Regrets: Tyler White, CEO Health Services, Siksika Health

Presentations

Children’s Services Minister Danielle Larivee made brief comments acknowledging the rich history of Paul First Nation. She assured those in attendance that the Panel is looking at doing things better in further supporting Indigenous families and communities. This also involves looking at root causes of maltreatment with the objective of addressing issues before children and families get involved in the child intervention system. She told those gathered that the Ministerial Panel on Child Intervention was here to listen and learn.

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M EETING S UMMAR Y

Dennis Paul, Paul First Nation provided a history of the Paul First Nation focusing on four areas: the people, the land, the justice system, and the relationship between the First Nation and non- Indigenous Peoples.

Band Members, Stories of Lived Experience. Several band members and community representatives recounted their experience in the child intervention system. Many survived deep trauma and have spent years healing and relearning their own culture.

Next Steps

The meeting closed with the presentation of gifts and a round dance.

The next Panel meeting will be a full day meeting on October 4 from 8:30am to 4:00pm at Piikani First Nation where the Panel will focus on mental health and addiction and collaborative relationships.

The website childinterventionpanel.alberta.ca and e-mail [email protected] continue to be available for the public to get information and/or make submissions to the Panel.

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