Our department is guided by the wisdom of the čičyɛ (grandmothers) circle, which helps shape our work to protect and uplift Tla’amin families. Through strong agreements with British Columbia, Canada, and partner organizations, we continue to strengthen Tla’amin’s voice and role in child and family wellness.
We have built a dedicated child and family services team grounded in community values and learning from the lived experiences of Tla’amin caregivers and children involved in the child welfare system.
Tla’amin is committed to designing and delivering programs and services that are guided by Tla’amin ways, and which support Tla’amin children and families to be well. This work moves the Nation toward Goal #10 in the Comprehensive Nation Plan, which is: Taking care of Tla’amin children.
Department Summary
The Child & Family Services (CFS) Department provides frontline support to Tla’amin Nation children, youth, caregivers, and families. We work alongside caregivers, youth, Elders, and provincial partners to provide family support, child safety response, youth programming, child welfare, and wellness services.
Our team also guides families in understanding available supports including local Nation-based and provincial services, and Tla’amin’s role in reclaiming jurisdiction over child and family services and Tla’amin Nation’s role in the province-wide agreement regarding child protection.
Our efforts include providing cross-cultural training to non-Tla’amin service providers and opening čɛpθtən (Auntie’s/Uncle’s House), a voluntary and temporary respite space that supports children and their caregivers in a safe, culturally rooted environment.
If you or someone in your family would like access to other child and family services, reach out to us and we will connect you to the relevant supports.
If you are worried about the safety or well-being of a child, please take action.
Tla’amin Nation and the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) work together under a province-wide agreement to respond to child protection concerns. MCFD is responsible for receiving all child protection reports and has legal decision-making authority. After reporting to MCFD, please also notify Tla’amin Child and Family Services. This ensures the Nation so we can support the child, family, and caregivers. Our team is here to walk alongside families and support them through the process.
Knowing what is considered child protection and making this phone call can be difficult. The Tla’amin CFS team is here to help support you through this process.
Please note that your concern may be something we can address ourselves without including MCFD.
Contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) directly: 1-800-663-9122.
No. Tla’amin Nation does not receive child protection reports. The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) maintains decision-making authority for child protection and is the body that receives child protection reports, but must consult and collaborate with Tla’amin Nation under the province-wide agreement.
Tla’amin Nation Child and Family Services primarily serves Tla’amin children and families, but also supports Indigenous children and families throughout the qathet region, as well as off-Nation Tla’amin members.
No. Tla’amin Nation Child & Family Services (CFS) does not replace MCFD. MCFD is still the authority that receives child protection reports and makes the legal decisions in protection matters. Tla’amin Nation CFS works alongside them. Because of the province-wide agreement, MCFD must consult with the Nation and involve Tla’amin staff whenever a concern involves a Tla’amin or Indigenous child.
An MCFD social worker should contact Tla’amin Nation Child & Family Services when working with a child who is Tla’amin or receiving support from the Nation.
This is part of the province-wide agreement, where MCFD retains decision-making authority but must consult and collaborate with Tla’amin CFS.
You may be entitled to compensation if you:
- Were a First Nations child and youth who was removed from your homes under the First Nations Child and Family Services Program (1991–2022);
- Were affected by the government’s narrow definition of Jordan’s Principle (2007–2017), or
- Did not receive or experienced delays in essential public services (1991–2007), or
- While under the age of majority and living on-reserve or in the Yukon, were sent off-reserve by a caregiving parent or grandparent to stay with a non-family member in an unfunded placement (1991–2022).
Some caregivers of the children above may also be eligible for compensation.
Please contact Tla’amin Nation CFS to learn more and get assistance in applying for compensation.