AWASIS AGENCY of NORTHERN MANITOBA 28thth ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba 28th Annual Report 2011/12 Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba – Annual Report 2011/12 Page 1 AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA ANNUAL REPORT - 2011/12 TABLE OF CONTENTS Agency Philosophy, Vision and Mission Statement ...................................................................................... 3 Board of Directors Message ......................................................................................................................... 4 Honouring & Remembering .......................................................................................................................... 5 Executive Director’s Report ......................................................................................................................... 7 Agency Profile .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Current Governance Structure ........................................................................................................ 9 Current Administrative Structure .................................................................................................... 9 Agency Overview of Case Statistics ............................................................................................................ 10 Agency Achievements and Challenges ....................................................................................................... 16 Agency Activities & Outcomes ................................................................................................................... 20 Service Delivery Unit Reports: Barren Lands (Brochet) First Nation ................................................................................................... 34 Bunibonibee (Oxford House) Cree Nation .......................................................................................... 37 Fox Lake Cree Nation /Gillam ............................................................................................................. 41 God’s Lake First Nation ....................................................................................................................... 48 Manto Sipi (God’s River) Cree Nation ................................................................................................ 54 Northlands (Lac Brochet) First Nation ............................................................................................... 58 Sayisi Dene (Tadoule Lake) First Nation ............................................................................................. 64 Shamattawa First Nation ................................................................................................................... 68 Tataskweyak (Split Lake) Cree Nation ................................................................................................ 75 War Lake Cree Nation ........................................................................................................................ 80 York Factory First Nation ................................................................................................................... 84 Thompson Service Delivery Office ..................................................................................................... 89 Winnipeg (McGee) Service Delivery Office ........................................................................................ 97 Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba – Annual Report 2011/12 Page 2 Philosophy Awasis Agency’s philosophy on child and family services is as follows: Children are our most precious resource, our future, and will determine First Nations’ future. All children are entitled to a safe, healthy environment that nurtures and protects each child’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is the joint responsibility of the First Nation’s community leaders, elders, families, and professionals alike to address the breakdown of the traditional family unit. To commit resources towards creative and innovative efforts to prevent further erosion of First Nation traditional family way of life and well-being. First Nations have the full power, status, and capacity with respect to governing, protection, and development of First Nations people, lands, economies, and government. Manitoba First Nations have jurisdiction over child and family services to anyone on First Nations’ territory and to all First Nation citizens/members regardless of their residence in Manitoba. Vision Statement HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, HEALTHY FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. Mission Statement TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES. Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba – Annual Report 2011/12 Page 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MESSAGE Greetings Chiefs, Councillors, Staff, and Community Members. As the Board of Directors, we are pleased to provide you with the Annual Report of activities for the Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba for 2011-2012 fiscal year. As you will see in the report, the Agency faced significant challenges over the past two years. Through the Agency’s hard work, leadership and commitment, there were also a number of achievements this past year that ensured ongoing service delivery to our members. The following are just some of the key events that had an impact on the Agency this fiscal year. In July 2011 an Advisory Board was established by the Corporation which contributed significantly in setting the foundation for the Awasis Agency to transition out of the Administrative Order and support the decentralization of the Cross Lake Service Delivery Office (Nikan). In August 2011, as a result of the progress made by the Agency and the Interim Advisory Committee, the Corporation elected a new Board of Directors. In October 2011, the Cross Lake Service Delivery Office received its mandate as “Nikan Awasisak Agency Inc.” In November 2011, the Administrative Order was lifted, an Executive Director hired as well as a staff gathering with the theme of “Renewing Our Path”. In March 2012, the Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba’s 5 Year Work Plan and Budget were approved by the Province and Aboriginal & Northern Affairs Canada. The Agency also participated at the MKO Chief’s Summit on Child & Family Services. We encourage you to review the reports from our Service Delivery Staff as without their hard work and commitment the Agency would not be able to provide the necessary services to our children. As in all things, there is always room to improve and although we have made a lot of progress this year, we anticipate additional changes as a result of the Enhanced Prevention Focused Approach - Funding Model. We must continue to collaborate with other organizations to ensure we are meeting the needs of the children. The priority for our Agency is to ensure that the children are healthy, that they maintain their culture and language and receive the necessary programs and services - wherever they reside. The Board is also committed to providing the necessary leadership and strategic direction to our staff and will continue to report on our initiatives to the communities we service. Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba – Annual Report 2011/12 Page 4 HONOURING AND REMEMBERING The Board of Directors presented Keewatin Tribal Council Grand Chief, Irvin Sinclair, with a gift for his contributions to the Awasis Agency as Chairman. In Photo: Chief Louisa Constant, York Factory First Nation; Chief Joe Antsanen, Northlands Denesuline First Nation; Grand Chief Irvin Sinclair, Keewatin Tribal Council; Chief Michael Yellowback, Manto Sipi Cree Nation and Chief Shirley Neepin, Fox Lake Cree Nation Presentation of shawl by the Awasis Agency staff in November 2011 welcoming Rose McKay as the new Executive Director. Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba – Annual Report 2011/12 Page 5 REMEMBERING one of our own, This year, we lost a valuable member of our team. Irene was unexpectedly taken from us this summer. Irene worked for Awasis Agency and then with the Children with Life-Long Complex Medical Needs Program for over 20 years. During her time with us, she held many positions, always striving to make a difference. Along with raising her children and working, she pursued many educational opportunities and was able to obtain her Early Childhood Education Diploma, Aboriginal Focus Program Diploma, and her Bachelor of Social Work Degree. Irene brought with her many gifts and strengths. She was an excellent seamstress and shared that gift with us, making vests for Conference Facilitators, traditional dresses for staff, and was well known in the north for the many gowns she made for weddings. She was also excellent at making slippers, mittens, gauntlets, and other traditional clothing, her beadwork always creative. She passed on these skills, talents, and gifts to anyone who asked and was a good teacher. Irene was passionate about helping children with obstacles and would always say “I don’t call them children with disabilities I call them children with obstacles”. Irene was also known for volunteering her wisdom at any opportunity that would help youth. She will always be remembered for her stories and laughter. She was a friend to all of us! Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba – Annual Report 2011/12 Page 6 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Welcome Elders, Chiefs, Councillors, Staff and Community members. My name is Rose McKay and I was hired as the Executive Director