G4 - Child and Family Services
Cultivating Strong Futures Through Tradition and Unity
The Child and Family Services Department of the G4 Stoney Nakoda Tsuut'ina Tribal Council represents a cornerstone of the council's commitment to nurturing the health, safety, and wellbeing of children and families within their communities. Under the astute leadership of Director Tonya Simeon, this department has grown into a beacon of support and empowerment for indigenous families, focusing on a holistic approach that integrates traditional practices and values with contemporary child welfare strategies.
The department's mission is deeply rooted in the belief that children are the heart of the community and that families hold the key to the future. With a dedicated team of social workers, counselors, and support staff, Child and Family Services works tirelessly to ensure that children grow up in environments of love, respect, and cultural richness. The services offered are comprehensive, covering emergency intervention, foster care, adoption support, and family reunification programs, all designed with a culturally informed framework that respects and honors the unique identity of each family.
One of the department's standout initiatives is its focus on preventative measures. By offering parenting classes, community workshops, and mental health support, the department aims to strengthen families from within, reducing the need for crisis intervention. These preventative programs are grounded in indigenous teachings, offering a space for families to connect with their culture, learn from elders, and build a strong community network.
The Child and Family Services Department also recognizes the importance of collaboration and partnership. By working closely with local schools, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies, the department ensures a coordinated approach to child welfare and family support. This collaborative spirit extends to the broader community, where the department actively seeks input and participation from community members in shaping its programs and services.
Underlying all these efforts is the department's commitment to advocacy. Recognizing the historical and ongoing challenges faced by indigenous families, Child and Family Services advocates for systemic changes that promote equity, justice, and the rights of indigenous peoples. Through policy advocacy, public education, and community mobilization, the department works to bring about meaningful change, not only within the G4 communities but also at the national level.
In essence, the Child and Family Services Department of the G4 Stoney Nakoda Tsuut'ina Tribal Council is more than a provider of child welfare services; it is a lifeline for families, a guardian of cultural heritage, and a powerful advocate for change. Through its comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach, the department is forging a path toward a future where every child and family can thrive, grounded in their identity and supported by their community.
G4 Child & Family Services 2025-2026 Action Plan
2025-2026 G4 Action Plan
Overview of the Department
The Stoney Nakoda-Tsuut’ina Tribal Council (G4) Children and Family Services (CFS) Department is a First Nations-led initiative dedicated to restoring, protecting, and strengthening Indigenous child welfare services. Grounded in ancestral teachings, the department operates with a holistic and decolonized approach, ensuring that First Nations children, youth, and families remain connected to their cultural roots, communities, and kinship networks. Through policy advocacy, legislative engagement, and community collaboration, G4 CFS seeks to transform the child welfare system to align with Indigenous self-determination and Treaty Rights.
Vision & Core Values
Vision Statement
The G4 CFS Department envisions a future where:
- First Nation children, youth, and families thrive in an environment deeply rooted in their cultural identity.
- Decolonized, holistic approaches restore balance, nurture identity, and uphold the sacred responsibility of care for future generations.
- Traditional teachings and values shape child welfare policies, ensuring fairness, cultural continuity, and long-term well-being.
Core Values
G4 CFS is built upon the following fundamental values:
- Love and Safety – Every child deserves a nurturing environment free from harm.
- Cultural Identity – Recognizing and preserving the unique traditions, languages, and customs of the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina peoples.
- Connection and Kinship – Strengthening familial bonds and community ties.
- Self-Determination – Asserting Indigenous sovereignty over child welfare policies and practices.
- Holistic Well-being – Addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of children and families.
- Respect and Reciprocity – Upholding mutual respect in all relationships.
- Healing and Resilience – Implementing trauma-informed approaches that support healing from historical and contemporary injustices.
- Traditional Teachings – Ensuring Elders and knowledge keepers guide decision-making processes.
- Treaty Rights – Advocating for the recognition and fulfillment of First Nations Treaty obligations.
- Integrity – Ensuring accountability, transparency, and ethical governance in child welfare services.
Key Actions & Strategic Priorities (2025-2026)
The 2025-2026 Action Plan for G4 CFS focuses on three primary action areas:
1. Law & Policy Initiatives Related to Bill C-92
Objective
- Strengthen legal and policy frameworks that affirm First Nations' jurisdiction over child and family services, as mandated under Bill C-92 (An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth, and Families).
- Ensure alignment with Bill C-91, which focuses on Indigenous language revitalization, recognizing its role in strengthening identity and cultural well-being.
Actions
- Collaborate with Alberta Children’s Ministry and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to develop policies and funding mechanisms.
- Conduct Elder’s Advisory engagement meetings to ensure culturally informed decision-making.
- Engage Directors of Delegated First Nations Agencies (DFNAs) to align local initiatives with national policies.
- Foster community engagement sessions to include the perspectives of First Nations parents, youth, and families.
- Coordinate discussions with Government of Alberta (GOA) and ISC Working Sub-Table to negotiate jurisdictional agreements.
Expected Outcomes
- Development of a Written Framework – Establishing a comprehensive legal framework for First Nations-led child and family services.
- Coordination Agreements – Formal agreements that clarify roles, responsibilities, and funding mechanisms between G4 CFS, the federal government, and the province.
2. Improving Child Welfare Outcomes
Objective
- Advocate for fair, culturally relevant, and self-determined child welfare policies that reflect First Nations values, customs, and governance models.
- Influence provincial and national child welfare reform efforts to eliminate systemic discrimination and barriers to equitable funding.
Actions
- Indigenous CFS Long-Term Reform (LTR):
- Participate in long-term reform discussions that shape national Indigenous child welfare policies.
- Review of Alberta’s Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA):
- Contribute policy recommendations ensuring cultural fairness and Indigenous governance.
- Engagement with DFNA Directors:
- Strengthen collaborative networks among First Nations-led child welfare agencies.
- Meetings with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN):
- Advocate at the national level to ensure First Nations have a strong voice in policy reforms.
- Funding Agreements Based on Community Needs:
- Secure funding that accounts for geographical remoteness, cost-of-living disparities, and infrastructure limitations.
- Participation in Policy and Practice Discussions:
- Influence provincial and national policy shifts that impact G4 First Nations children.
Expected Outcomes
- Stronger Legal Protections – Ensuring Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare is legally and structurally recognized.
- Policy Reforms that Reflect Indigenous Perspectives – Reducing the overrepresentation of First Nations children in the foster care system.
- Funding Equity – Allocating resources based on actual needs, not outdated government formulas.
3. Strengthening Community Collaboration for Cultural Continuity
Objective
- Enhance cultural continuity for children in care by ensuring access to traditional teachings, ceremonies, and community supports.
- Strengthen partnerships with local agencies and organizations that support Indigenous child welfare.
Actions
- Collaboration with Community Agencies:
- Partner with nonprofit organizations, healing centers, and cultural groups to expand support networks for children and families.
- Partnership with McMan Calgary:
- Joint initiatives such as the Worldview Map project, which will document cultural teachings unique to the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations.
- Cultural Learning & Engagement Opportunities for Children in Care:
- Organize four Elder-led cultural education sessions for the Tsuut’ina, Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney nations.
- Integrate traditional knowledge into child welfare services through cultural healing plans.
Expected Outcomes
- Worldview Maps Developed for Four G4 Nations – Used as cultural healing tools to reconnect children in care with their ancestral identity.
- Stronger Cultural Healing Plans – Ensuring children remain culturally grounded, even if placed in foster care or group homes.
- Improved Access to Traditional Knowledge – Strengthening community-based supports for youth in care.
Conclusion: A Transformative Approach to First Nations Child Welfare
The G4 Children and Family Services Department is leading a transformative shift in First Nations child welfare by reclaiming Indigenous governance, self-determination, and cultural continuity. Through legal advocacy, systemic policy reforms, and strengthened community partnerships, G4 CFS seeks to break the cycle of colonial intervention and restore Indigenous-led child welfare systems.
The 2025-2026 action plan reflects a bold, forward-thinking strategy that integrates:
✅ Traditional Knowledge & Modern Policy Advocacy
✅ Legal & Jurisdictional Autonomy under Bill C-92
✅ Equitable Child Welfare Policies that Address Systemic Disparities
✅ Cultural Reconnection & Healing for Children in Care
By prioritizing First Nations values, cultural resilience, and child-centered policy reforms, G4 CFS empowers Indigenous families to reclaim their sacred responsibility of care for future generations.