About Us

At Kanaweyimik Child & Family Services we share a deep commitment to excellence and innovation in our services.

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Kanaweyimik Origin

According to Elder Norman Sunchild, the Cree name "Kanaweyimik" has its origin in two meanings or messages that pertain to the care of children:

  • To the Parents "take care of your children"
  • To the Children - "ask their parents to take care of them".
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Mission Statement

The mission of Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services is to protect children and to aid in their healing and the strengthening of families through the provision of holistic, culturally relevant services that respect the heritage, values, ceremonies, and traditions of our member communities.

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Vision Statement

To empower individuals, families and member communities to sustain an environment of safety and well-being for their children, to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, utilizing their culture, beliefs and traditional practices.

Guiding Principles:

  • Kanaweyimik believes that each individual has dignity and worth in the eyes of the Creator.
  • Kanaweyimik believes that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to a happy and fulfilling life.
  • Kanaweyimik intends that the communities we serve will become excellent places for children and families to learn, enhance self-image, promote academic excellence and develop an awareness and pride in the cultural origins of our People.
  • Kanaweyimik is committed to hiring and retaining professionals and para-professionals who are dedicated to excellence in child protection and family support services.
  • Kanaweyimik is committed to providing effective child protection and family support programs in healing, prevention, and social development.
  • Kanaweyimik believes services must be practical, realistic,  able to grow with the community need and geared toward community based support.

Our Goals

  • To support the Elders Council in their role with children, youth and families;
  • To design and deliver quality services that build strong families and communities;
  • To support First Nations cultural traditions, practices and ceremonies as they form a solid foundation towards building strong children, youth and families;To provide healing, protection and prevention services;
  • To aid children in a dignified and respectful manner, as they are gifts from the Creator;
  • To ensure that children and their families have the opportunity to exercise their rights and responsibilities to participate in the decisions and actions that affect their lives;
  • To develop a safe environment for children within their home in order to prevent the out-of-home placement of children;
  • To provide and coordinate family safety, stability, independence and unity;
  • To promote the personal, social and spiritual development of families from the member communities.
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Community Profiles

Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and became operational in 1995, providing statutory and support services to Thunderchild First Nations, Moosomin First Nations and Red Pheasant First Nations. Saulteaux First Nation became a member community in 1996, Sweetgrass First Nation in 2008 and Mosquito First Nation became a member on December 3, 2013.

Kanaweyimik Child & Family Services Inc. has grown from a staff of 6 in 1994, to a current staff of 35.

In the 25 years Kanaweyimik has been in operation it has maintained a strong and stable executive management structure, having had only two Executive Directors and continuing to employ the original (Financial) Executive Office Manager.

During Kanaweyimik's time in operation it has undergone four qualitative and quantitative program evaluations: 1998, 2001, 2008 & 2011. The recommendations from these evaluations have been individually reviewed by the Executive Management and Board of Directors with most recommendations having been implemented.

For the first five years in operation Kanaweyimik recorded and maintained client data manually. In 1999, Kanaweyimik purchased client case management software which maintains client data electronically with automated completion, generating and storing of form based documentation. This process has improved the quality of client/case documentation; provided ease of access to client files for the purpose of review, case management.

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Director's Message

Welcome! 

Kanaweyimik Child & Family Services has a team of bright, energetic and passionate people who are eager to help you.  We share a deep commitment to excellence, innovation and services.  We have created an atmosphere that replicates the energy, enthusiasm and versatility of our team members.  Kanaweyimik's approach is wholistically based, culturally relevant and one that respects the heritage, values, ceremonies and traditions of our First Nation member communities.

Kanaweyimik has a welcoming environment and we invite community members to visit us at our office or to contact our office with any suggestions, comments or questions.It is not an easy job to raise children.  All families encounter difficult times but with support can overcome these challenges.  I encourage parents to contact us when in need of support and/or advice.

There are times when parents are temporarily unable to safely care for their children and we will support them during this time.  We invite community members interested in caring for children needing temporary care to contact us.

Best regards to all!
- Marlene Bugler

Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services currently provide statutory and support
services to the following member communities:

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Moosomin First Nation

Pop. 1512

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Saulteaux First Nation

Pop. 1158

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Sweetgrass First Nation

Pop. 1673

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Mosquito First Nation

Pop. 1243

Contact Us. We can Help.

Protection, safety, prevention, knowledge, understanding for our member communities.