Yecwemintem re Kwséltkten-kt "Looking After Our Relations/ People"
Simpcw’s Yecwemintem re Kwséltkten-kt “Looking After Our Relations/ People” will replace British Columbia’s Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), for the governance and administration of child and family services for all Simpcw members wherever they reside across Canada. It will restore inherent self-governance for children & families and will be recognized and enforceable by Canada and BC pursuant to S. 20 (2) of Canada’s An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
Beginning in 2020, Simpcw has been on a path to restore its inherent Jurisdiction of child and family services.
Simpcw’s Chief and Council mandated the Social Development Department to ensure this process was Membership led by way of Member Engagements.
As of May 2024, there have been over 25 Engagements held for Simpcw Members to provide their input, ideas and knowledge.
Simpcw’s Yecwemintem re Kwséltkten-kt “Looking After Our Relations/ People” will replace British Columbia’s Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA), for the governance and administration of child and family services for all Simpcw members wherever they reside across Canada. It will restore inherent self-governance for children & families and will be recognized and enforceable by Canada and BC pursuant to S. 20 (2) of Canada’s An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
Megan Sim:
Megan is the newly appointed Family Jurisdiction Coordinator. She is responsible for the planning and facilitation of the Jurisdiction Member Engagements. Please reach out to Megan if you have any questions about Simpcw’s Jurisdiction and/or Member Engagements.
Email: Jurisdiction@Simpcw.com, Megan.Sim@Simpcw.com
Phone: 250.674.1446
Jurisdiction Member Engagements:
If you have any questions regarding registration or need assistance to register, please contact:
Megan Sim – Jurisdiction
Email: Megan.Sim@Simpcw.com
Phone: 250.674.1446
Jurisdiction Highlights and Accomplishments:
Indigenous Governing Body (IGB) Status:
In June 2020, Simpcw became recognized by BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), as an Indigenous Governing Body for Simpcw families across the province. This means that before any social worker can make decisions regarding a Simpcw Family they have to involve Simpcw’s Community Designate in decision making.
Tcwesétmentem "Walking Together" Agreement
On April 12, 2022, Simpcw and MCFD signed the Tcwesétmentem – “Walking Together” Agreement which is the first of its kind in BC. This agreement is a legally binding agreement on all social workers in the province of BC. It is an operational agreement that sets out roles , responsibilities, and funding between Simpcw and MCFD and ensures Simpcw First Nation’s full participation and involvement in all planning , care and decision making under BC’s Child, Family, Community Services Act (CFCSA).
Social Development Manager Carmen Hance and Jurisdiction Consultant, Allen Cummings are facilitating the training of social workers across the province on this agreement. If you would like them to make a presentation to you and your staff, please contact Karla Green to begin planning for your training. (Carla Green: sd.assistant@simpcw.com | 250-672-9995 ext. 264)
Simpcw’s Chief and Council have made the decision to share the agreement by way of donation. If you would like a copy of the agreement and would like to propose a donation or trade, please contact: Councillor Alison Green at Alison.GreenCouncil@Simpcw.com. Anyone who receives a copy of the Agreement must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Simpcw & Gitsegukla Declaration Signing Ceremony
On March 15, 2023, Simpcw signed a historic Declaration to Work Together to Develop an Inter-Nation Agreement that will recognize, respect and uphold each Nations inherent Child and Family Services Jurisdiction
Urban Prevention Service Agreement
On March 15, 2023, Simpcw signed a historic Declaration to Work Together to Develop an Inter-Nation Agreement that will recognize, respect and uphold each Nations inherent Child and Family Services Jurisdiction