Wet'suwet'en News
Traditional Decision Program for Children and Families
April 12, 2011
NEWS RELEASE
April 8, 2011
Wet’suwet’en Feast Ceremony to Celebrate Agreement for Establishment of the “Anuk Nu’aten Bikin Tsi’Ilh ye” Traditional Decision Program for Children and Families
Moricetown, B.C. – April 8, 2011 marks a significant milestone for the Wet’suwet’en on their path to reclaiming jurisdiction for their children and families as a historic agreement has been reached with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for the establishment of a traditional decision making program called “Anuk Nu’aten Bikin Tsi’Ilh ye”(ANABIP), which translates to, “we are talking about it.” House and Clan Group members will be empowered through meaningful participation in this new approach to supporting the safety and well being of children and families in a traditional way that is based wholly on Wet’suwet’en culture, customs, governance institutions, ceremony’s, traditions and Anuk Nu’aten (laws).
“I am very pleased that after many years of working to create our own Wet’suwet’en Children and Families Agency, that we finally see some significant progress with the province of BC towards that goal,” said Chief Dora Wilson, of the Hagwilget First Nation. “We want to reclaim jurisdiction for our children and families in our inherent governance way, the way that supported the well being of our people for thousands of years. This is a profound step in that direction, and I wish to honour all who were involved in helping us achieve this accomplishment.”
Chief Barry Nikal of the Moricetown First Nation expressed, “we have one of the highest numbers of children in care of all First Nations in British Columbia, and that is not acceptable. The provincial system has not worked for our people, and we have been and will continue to be unwavering and resolute in taking back our inherent responsibility for our children and families. This is another step towards that goal, and hopefully signals a new relationship with the Province of BC as they listened to us as evidenced by the three-year agreement we are now signing.”
The Wet’suwet’en have been working since 1998 to establish their own Children and Families Agency, following the provincial and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) delegated model which is viewed as an interim but necessary measure on the path to re-instituting an inherent Wet’suwet’en governance model. Chief Hagwilnegh (English name is Ron Mitchell) has been involved from the start and expresses the values and philosophies that have been central to this process and the new ANABIP program, “love, caring, respect and a sense of belonging is instilled in this process, and will serve to ground our children in who they are as Wet’suwet’en. You cannot find that in any legislation or provincial or federal mandate in caring for our children. To us, it’s central and will be our relentless priority and focus.”
“I am very pleased with this agreement, as it marks a significant breakthrough in our relationship with the province towards our goal of establishing an inherent governance model of jurisdiction for our children and families,” said Debbie Pierre of the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. “We must acknowledge and pay our deepest respects to our many Hereditary leaders and Elders who have been involved and given us guidance and direction in this process to establish our agency. Sadly, many of our great leaders did not live to see this day; we have seen the tremendous loss of our esteemed Hereditary leaders, Tsayu Chief Namoks Bill Holland, Laksilyu Chief Wah Tah Gwets Pat Namox, Gitdumden Chief Madeek, Jim Brown and Chief Woos Roy Morris and Gilseyu Chief Knedebeas, Sarah Layton and Chief Goohlaht Lucy Namox, and Laksamashu Chief Smogelgem Leonard George. It is in their memory and their spirit that we dedicate this day and unequivocally pronounce to our people that their dreams and vision for our children and families will be achieved.”
Please come join the Wet’suwet’en and provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development honoured guests as we celebrate together this tremendous accomplishment that will forever change the way Wet’suwet’en children and families are supported.
For more information please contact Debbie Pierre, Executive Director, Office of the Wet’suwet’en, at:
Phone number: (250) 847-3630
Fax number: (250) 847- 5381
Toll Free: 1-888-296-4411
http://www.wetsuweten.com
