NationTalk: The Manitoba government is providing more than $500,000 to three programs focused on keeping families together, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced today.

“Family, community and cultural connections are essential to helping children thrive,” said Fontaine. “This is especially important for families who may need some extra support. Our government is committed to supporting programs that strengthen family ties and keep children out of the child welfare system whenever possible. Today’s announcement highlights some of our collaborative efforts to support families when and where they need it most, within their own communities.”

The minister noted the supports include:

• $183,000 to Blue Thunderbird Family Care’s Grandmother’s Council Program, which offers support to ensure the integration of Indigenous knowledge, guidance, support and teachings from Indigenous matriarchs into programs offered by Blue Thunderbird Family Care.
• $150,000 to the Islamic Social Services Association to hire a social worker and counsellor for the Family Supports Services Programming, which provides emotional, financial, psychological and systems navigations services for families.
• $200,000 to Acorn Family Place for the Wrap Around Program, which supports families involved in the child welfare system through the delivery of wraparound preventative and early intervention supports.

“This funding helps our organization keep families together in a good way,” said Dana Arabe, executive director, Blue Thunderbird Family Centre. “By supporting approaches like Grandmother’s Council, the Manitoba government is supporting a different way of caring for children – one that trust community to know what is best for our children and invests in keeping families together in the first place.”

These initiatives respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action to reduce the number of Indigenous children and care and aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which recognizes the right of Indigenous families and communities to retain shared responsibility for the upbringing, education and well-being of their children, consistent with the rights of the child, the minister noted.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.