Who are we?

The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (the Caring Society) was developed at a national meeting of First Nations child and family service agencies (FNCFSA), held at the Squamish First Nation, in 1998. Meeting delegates agreed that a national non-profit organization was required, to provide research, policy, professional development and networking support, to support FNCFSA, in caring for First Nations children, youth and families. An interim board was elected and the plan was approved, at a second national meeting, held at Kingsclear First Nation.

How to help?

I believe the best way to respond is to make the effort to build a real relationship with the people. Be willing to listen to their stories. This shows them that you care. So many people whom have worked with them see it as a chore, rather than a relationship and this type of mentality must be changed. We do not have all the answers.

Restoration of self-respect comes when people have a vision.

I believe the church and our government should support the effort to bring the change that is needed. They should prepare, through workshops and relationships and have a better understanding of how to present in a native community.

We have seen Canada mobilize a massive response to refugee needs. What could be the ingredients of a similar response to bring hope to First Nation’s youth?

I believe in an actual program of bringing good messages about Canada’s First People’s to the general public via, television, radio and newspapers, perhaps looking at the good traits of the people and focusing on the positive things that are or were a part of their cultural heritage. My vision is to see our First Peoples able to be proud of who they are, to know that they realize that our Creator loves them just as much as the next person. We need to see options for an economic base established that will allow them to have a vision for their future. We know that poverty is a serious depressant. We need to see this start to change and now is the time.