First Nations Jurisdiction and Control / Métis, Inuit and Urban Indigenous Control
First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous communities and organizations have authority to care for their children and youth.
Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy
Ontario is working with First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous partners to implement the Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy together.
Through the strategy, Indigenous communities and the government are building stronger bonds and improving services to meet the needs of Indigenous children and youth. This will enable First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to have a holistic, culturally-based and community-driven approach to children and youth services.
The strategy focuses on:
- transforming Ontario’s relationship with Indigenous children and youth, and their families
- enhancing First Nations jurisdiction and Indigenous control for children and youth services
- prioritizing preventative services for Indigenous children and youth that are culturally appropriate
- building a high quality integrated services network that supports Indigenous children and youth
- enabling government and Indigenous service providers to track and evaluate their work in implementing the strategy.
Indigenous communities and service providers in Ontario will have greater authority over child and family services. The strategy will build Indigenous perspectives and cultures into all programs and policies. It is supported by:
- Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women
- Ontario’s First Nations Health Action Plan
- The Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
Vision
First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous children and youth are healthy, happy, resilient, grounded in their cultures and languages and thriving as individuals and as members of their families and Nations or communities.
Guiding Principles
- Children and youth centred
- Culture and identity as foundational
- Respect rights and jurisdictional aspirations
- Co-development and partnership
- Outcomes focus
- Responsive to youth voice
- Flexibility
- Shared accountability
- Reconciliation (acknowledge the past, act now and look to the future)
Pillars
Prevention, Culture and Opportunities
First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous children and youth have access to preventive services focused on well-being, culture and opportunities.
Coordinated and Responsive Circle of Care
The child and youth service workforce is equipped to provide high quality, integrated and culturally appropriate services.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Shared Accountability
Progress is tracked through culturally and contextually appropriate monitoring and evaluation approaches.
Transformed Relationships and Collaborative, Holistic Action
Systemic change through collaborative action and transformed relationships with First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous partners.
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