On April 19, 2024, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation's child and family services law, Nigig Nibi Ki-Win, came into force. Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation is the third Indigenous governing body in Ontario and the eleventh in Canada to have its own child and family services law. Nigig Nibi Ki-win will have the force of law as federal law, in accordance with An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
As Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation have shared, Nigig Nibi Ki-win means "otters playing together in the water" in Anishinàbemowin (Algonquin) and represents the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation's obligations to their children and youth to support, connect, and protect their families. The law is a result of years of work by Pikwakanagan leadership, staff, and community, with advice and guidance by Pikwakanagan's Elders and traditional knowledge keepers.
For Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Nigig Nibi Ki-win grounds child and family services, including with respect to prevention, child well-being, and dispute resolution, in the Seven Grandfather teachings and connection to family, culture, and the land. Programs, services, and supports will be administered and delivered by Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation's child and family well-being agency, Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik.
The next step is for Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and the Governments of Canada and Ontario to continue their discussions with a view to reaching a coordination agreement and associated fiscal arrangements to support the implementation of Nigig Nibi Ki-win. The Parties look forward to working together to advance our collaborative efforts on these agreements.
