De-Colonizing child well-being through Bills C-92 & C15, tipi teachings and calls to action: A study of the Cowessess First Nation Miyo Pimatisowin Act

Abstract

Recent reports show that First Nations children account for approximately 7.7% of all children in Canada but 52% of children in government care (Government of Canada 2021). For several years, Indigenous peoples and organizations have expressed deep concerns over the disturbing proportion of Indigenous children in care (Blackstock, 2011; Stevenson, 2013). In 2020, the Cowessess First Nation Miyo Pimatisowin (Cree translation for “Striving for a better life”) Act was established within the parameters of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families (Bill C-92) to ensure that the next generation of First Nations children are protected from government apprehensions, negative post-care outcomes, and other child well-being challenges (Delorme 2020). The following research question is explored to highlight the self-determination rights, governing strengths, and well-being principles of Cowessess First Nation: How did Cowessess First Nation develop and implement their own child wellbeing policies and programs in a de-colonized, culturally centered way that would yield the best quality of life for their children and families? The Visiting Way (Keeoukaywin) was used as the method for data collection. Keeoukaywin is an informal and semi-structured method of information gathering where participants answer the researcher’s questions using their own style of narration, teaching, or other styles they are more comfortable with. The researcher followed Cowessess research protocols, OCAP principles, and the University of Regina ethics requirements, to visit with five participants who were integral to the development and/or implementation of the Miyo Pimatisowin Act. This research focused exclusively on Cowessess First Nation. The empirical analysis in this study used Marchildon, Lavoie and Harold’s (2021) decision space framework, Gaventa’s (2006) power framework, and British Columbia’s First Nations Health Authority’s (BC FNHA) governance system to assert that whenever an Indigenous group made more decisions and exerted more power over the health of their people, there were improved overall outcomes for that group. While the three frameworks apply to health, they can be extended to child welfare since both health and child welfare fall within the broader scope of wellness. Highlighting how a decolonized form of child well-being governance leads to desired well-being outcomes could motivate more experts in fields such as policy development, policy analysis and governance to work with Cowessess towards achieving their child well-being goals. Policy implications from this study include the potential for Cowessess to develop other jurisdictional policies. (E.g. Educational policies, membership policies, business development policies). Highlighting the strengths and opportunities within the Miyo Pimatisowin Act can inspire governments, schools, businesses, organizations, and individuals to partner with Cowessess on various initiatives related to the Act and ultimately improve the well-being of Cowessess children. Policy implications also extend to other First Nations in Canada. First Nations could use knowledge from the development and implementation of the Cowessess Miyo Pimatisowin Act to develop and implement their own child wellbeing Acts.