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ISSN 0840-982X SPECIAL ISSUE 1987Strength Within the Circle CONTENTS iii Acknowledgements iv Prefacev Introduction PART I The History: Peigan Children and Families 5 Child Welfare Service Delivery 7 Alberta Social Services 9 Department of Indian and Northern Affairs 10 Summary of Child Welfare Statistics PART II The Present: Returning to the Circle 13 Peigan Band Child Welfare Study Design 16 Survey Methodology 18 Survey Responses 19 Provincial Child Welfare Involvement 19 Self-Determined Services 21 Commencement Date 21 Support Services 22 Personnel 23 Elders’ Interviews 25 Research Trips 28 Professional Interviews 28 Peigan Community Workshops PART III THE FUTURE: PEIGAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES: 31 Introduction 32 Peigan Child and Family Services Goals 32 Peigan Child and Family Services Qualities 33 Agreements 34 Recommendations for Agreements 34 Role of Alberta Social Services Child Welfare Act 35 Recommendations for Utilizing Alberta 35 Child Welfare Act 35 Peigan Child and Family Services Society 37 Population of the Child Welfare Mandate 53 References PREFACE The following pages are edited from the original comprehensive version of Strength Within the Circle which was presented to Peigan Chief and Council in May, 1986. Through the publication of this document the Peigan Nation desired to give support and encouragement to other Bands desiring to assume child welfare responsibilities and to impart to non-Native people an understanding of the reason and manner in which such steps are undertaken. The authors of this document arc the Peigan people. As the consultant to the study it was my responsibility to record the words of the people and the consensus decisions reached. To fully comprehend such a document it is important to understand the words within the context and activities of the authors. Therefore, the ultimate interpretation of meaning and intent comes from the Peigan people. Further, in order for development initiatives of this nature to truly reflect the Native Community it is essential that the primary authors and decision-makers be the people. The desire to assume responsibility for children does not necessarily indicate a desire to assume the existing system. Through the opportunity to create community-based, community-directed child welfare, the Peigan people will be able to impact and develop their community as a whole. This is the threshold of a new era of human services. From my experiences, we, the mainstream, should closely observe the development of these initiatives. There is much to learn. The approach to all facets of human services, from community development, to child care practices, to mental health that are implemented on the Peigan Reserve and across Canada, may afford the opportunity for all professionals to redefine the manner in which care is given to children and families. Joan Graff, Editor ______________ INTRODUCTION We never know what is ahead of us during the day. It’s always good to put our Creator ahead of us so He can assist us during the day, as we might not be aware, as we lose very quickly what we love. (PEIGAN ELDER). In March of 1985, the Peigan Nation Chief and Council commissioned a study on child welfare service delivery. This undertaking reflected the current trend of Indian Bands in Alberta and throughout Canada to provide their own child welfare services, It was the desire of the Chief and Council to have comprehensive information prior to determining a course of action in this area. The ideas, thoughts, and wishes of the people were of ultimate importance in this process. The Province of Alberta has begun to place emphasis on involving communities in planning for child welfare services. While the primary intent of this report is to document the development of child welfare services for the Peigan nation, it may also serve as a guide for involving communities, Native and non-Native in undertaking such planning. Comprehensive efforts were made to ensure inclusion of all members of the community in the study. As well, the foundation for ongoing involvement has been laid. Individuals and groups have been consulted and have vested interest in the future of child welfare and its impact on the families, existing services, and community. From the onset of the study the need to emphasize the cultural aspects of the Peigan Nation has been clearly acknowledged by everyone involved. Interviews and discussions with the Elders have provided direction. Specific cultural practices are referred to and acknowledged throughout the study. Traditional child rearing practices, extended families, the words of Elders, and the consensus decision-making process have been considered in formulating this document. Culture is, however, more than a method of relating, it is a way of life, it is spiritually centered, and acknowledges the interrelationship of all natural things. In this manner, the Peigan Child Welfare Study sought to design a system that acknowledged the interrelationship of all human service activities. A holistic system centered on the unique cultural values of the Peigan people.
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