In pursuit of a model of conflict resolution : First Nations family justice
Date
1997
Authors
Monias, David Allan
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Abstract
This thesis represents the story and analysis of a journey taken by myself as the Child and Family Services Coordinator for Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba and by other community participants. Over the past six years, Awasis has undertaken a search for a better way to design and deliver First Nations child and family services. As a Child and Family Services Coordinator, my main responsibility was to increase accountability in the area of child and family services and to facilitate, provide resources, and provide support for the development of community specific and defined standards of practice regarding child and family matters. As a First Nations member and as an agent for the child and family services system, I witnessed the detrimental impact of removing First Nations children from their families and sometimes from their communities and culture. I have heard the personal stories of people who passed through the child welfare system and how this separation from their families affected the rest of their lives. I realized that the current child and family services system was not working in the best interests of our First Nations children, families, and communities. My vision for healthy First Nations and commitment to creating social justice for the First Nations people are the driving force behind this research. A paradigm shift within the Awasis' approach to child and family services and the development of a partnership between Awasis and University of Victoria provided an opportunity to create practical and useful change in child and family services practice for First Nations people.