Naaniigaan Abinoojii Director

The Director of Naaniigaan Abinoojii provides supervision for Weechi-it-te-win's child welfare programs and resources; also referred to as the Naaniigaan Abinoojii team.

Due to the fact that Weechi-it-te-win is a devolved or decentralized child welfare model; the goal for the Naaniigaan Abinoojii Manger is to provide the support, resources and capacity building that assure quality services are delivered at the community. The Naaniigaan Abinoojii Manager monitors the services agreements with each of the First Nations to ensure that both parties are meeting their responsibilities to the families and children.

Meet the Director of Naaniigaan Abinoojii

Arlene Parker
Phone: 807-274-3201 Ext. 4043
Email: arlene.parker@weechi.ca

A Message from the Director of Naaniigaan Abinoojii

Along with the Anishinaabe Rights of children

Parents have rights as well;

When there is involvement with WFS, families should know that everyone is working towards the ultimate safety of children. Not all calls are verifiable and initial response by your First Nation team is due to their obligation to follow up on calls where children are being reported to be at risk or when they are likely to be at risk.

Your cooperation will best assist in workers who are legally obligated to follow up calls and to quickly rule out the reported concerns. Parents and Caregivers have the right to have a support person available during this time. Parents also have the right to be informed that their information will be entered in to a secure data base held by WFS.

WFS and our First Nations' ultimate goal is to ensure children can remain with their parents. Where a situation warrants an out of home placement, Parents can be proactive and help identity a family or family friend who would be likely to provide the love and care to your child(ren) and is familiar to your children. At times, parents have removed themselves so that their children can remain in their own homes with alternate parent or family.

Parents who do not agree to their children being placed in a Customary Care arrangement have options available. Under Customary Care there is no ministry time lines for how long a child remains in care, there are time lines the main stream system. Should parents not agree to any verified concerns, they can request a Case Review with your CCP team and WFS. Should this not be your process, you have the right to obtain legal counsel and have your case brought to family court where a judge will hear our both sides and make recommendation and set out rules for workers and parents. It is advisable that parents who feel wronged by an agency seek legal counsel so that you are informed and take the best course of action for you and your family.

Parents have the right to participate in a Child first approach to their child's Plan of Care(s) completed by their workers. This harmonious relationship is key to ensure your children have access to the each other, you're an active participant in your child's cultural ceremony's and family celebrations within your family network.

Parents need to help workers make decisions regarding children's school success and help with their down falls. Primarily to support and identify access to family and helping their children cope with the unfortunate separation from you.

Caregivers have rights as well;

Caregivers are key to our First Nations ensuring our children are maintained within their clans, access to ceremony and familiar community network of friends and schools. Keeping our children close to their land and where they laugh a play and thrive is but one way to lessen the trauma of being removed from their home life.

Caregivers should have ready access to their workers and have as much information available about the children they are opening their home to. In order to minimize the shock of unfamiliar settings, we can best be support children and youth by ensure they have familiar belongings such as clothing and toys, or even their favorite teddy. Caregivers also require important medical information as well as any information on cultural protocols such and smudging when sad etc.

Caregivers are trained that they are temporary stand in parents for Children who were gifted to another set of parents. They are expected to provide the love and care needed to help children thrive in a holistic manner.

Workers are child advocates and should ensure youth voice is heard and processed. Not all requests can be awarded but having meaningful conversations with youth and having access to parents will ultimately help Children who are temporarily with others feel loved by a network of adults working for their best interest.

For any discussion and further information is all available to you by reaching out with your heart and asking your team and Weechi-it-te-win question regarding You, your children, your interest in becoming a caregiver and or a helper to another family. It does take a community to raise a child; No one should stand alone.