Introduction
The Ministry of Children and Families (MoCF) is guided by the traditional concept of Takaki Awasisiwin: a good childhood for the future of our people. This teaching reflects our commitment to ensuring that Métis children, youth, and families are supported through systems rooted in Métis culture, values, identity, and community.
Children are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that Métis children thrive when they are connected to their families, communities, culture, and Nation. Our work focuses on supporting children currently involved in the child welfare system and collaborating with service providers.
At the 2023 MNBC Annual General Meeting, MNBC Citizens declared inherent jurisdiction over child and family services of Métis in B.C., and authorized MNBC to exercise jurisdiction on their behalf. Citizens mandated MNBC to develop Métis child welfare laws, and provide Métis child and family services, including negotiating agreements and any other instrument that recognizes this jurisdiction. Since then, the Ministry has been working to build the legal, governance, and service foundations necessary to achieve this vision.
Below are some of the strategic priorities the Ministry has been focusing on.
Advancing Métis Jurisdiction
The Ministry of Children and Families is committed to ensuring that decisions affecting Métis children are guided by Métis people, Métis values, and Métis ways of caring for one another.
Through the federal Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families (Bill C-92), opportunities exist for Indigenous Nations to reclaim jurisdiction over child and family services. MNBC is actively preparing for this transition by developing Métis-led laws, services, governance structures, and partnerships that will support future jurisdiction.
We are working with the Province to secure a designation that recognizes MNBC’s role in supporting and representing Métis children, youth, and families throughout the province. Part of this work entails developing information-sharing agreements that enable MNBC to identify and support Métis children, youth, and families involved with the child welfare system, ensuring access to culturally relevant services, community connections, and Nation-based supports.
Our vision is to create a child and family service system that reflects Métis teachings, strengthens families, and ensures every Métis child grows up with a strong sense of belonging, identity, and connection to community.
Métis Child Welfare Law
One of the Ministry’s primary priorities is the development of Métis Child Welfare Law.
This law will establish a culturally grounded legal framework that affirms MNBC’s authority over child and family services and supports the exercise of Métis jurisdiction under Bill C-92.
The law will embed Métis teachings, kinship practices, and traditional caregiving principles into standards of care. It will prioritize family preservation, cultural continuity, and community connection. The law will also establish governance structures that reflect Métis values and self-determination while creating a foundation for future Métis-led child and family services across B.C.
The development of the law is being informed through engagement with Elders, Knowledge Carriers, Chartered Communities, service providers, and Citizens throughout the province.
Métis Family Service System
Alongside the development of Métis Child Welfare Law, MNBC is creating a Métis Family Service System (MFSS).
The MFSS will provide a coordinated and culturally grounded framework to support Métis children, youth, and families across all stages of service delivery.
Our work includes conducting a province-wide environmental scan of existing programs and services while identifying gaps and opportunities across B.C. We are mapping pathways for families to access support. Our work also entails developing a framework based on four pillars: culture, governance, partnerships, and service delivery. At every step, we are ensuring that services reflect Métis values, priorities, and community needs.
The goal is to create a system that is accessible, coordinated, culturally safe, and responsive to the unique experiences of Métis families.
Supporting Métis Identity and Citizenship
The Ministry works closely with the Ministry of Citizenship to support legal guardians, families, and service providers in obtaining Citizenship for Métis children and youth.
Strengthening access to Citizenship helps ensure children, youth, and families can connect to Métis culture and community, Métis-specific programs and services, cultural teachings and supports, and opportunities that strengthen identity and belonging.
This work is particularly important for Métis children and youth involved with the child welfare system, as it helps maintain lifelong connections to their Nation and heritage.
Looking Ahead
The Ministry of Children and Families is building the foundation for a future where Métis children, youth, and families are supported through systems designed by Métis people, for Métis people.
By advancing the Métis Child Welfare Law, developing a Métis Family Service System, strengthening partnerships, and pursuing jurisdiction, we are working toward a future where every Métis child grows up connected to their culture, family, community, and Nation, as it was always meant to be.
Reports
The Ministry of Children and Families is committed to providing reports created in consultation with the community and partners. These reports inform our approach to creating structural and legislative change in obtaining the jurisdiction of Métis children.
MNBC Provincial Forum for Métis Child and Family Services
In March 2025, MNBC hosted a groundbreaking provincial forum in Kelowna, B.C. that truly captured the power of collective action. This forum—the first of its kind—was rooted in Métis culture and values, with every aspect thoughtfully designed to centre the well-being of Métis children, youth, and families.
Representative For Children And Youth Report
Released in July 2020, Invisible Children: A Descriptive Analysis of Injury and Death Reports for Métis Children and Youth in British Columbia, 2015 to 2017 uses a new collaborative approach to research and examines critical injuries and deaths of Métis children and youth.
Opikinawasowin: Growing a Métis Child
The introduction of Bill C-92 in 2020, officially known as An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth, and Families, marked a landmark moment for Indigenous rights in Canada, particularly in the area of child and family welfare.
To gain insights into the impact of this legislation on Métis children, youth, and families in British Columbia, we employed a comprehensive approach. This involved conducting interviews and surveys and actively engaging with Métis Chartered Communities and Métis people with lived experience across B.C.
External Métis Family Service Providers
Our Ministry recognizes the importance of having support while navigating interactions with the Provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development (CFD). We’re proud to partner with the following Métis Family Service Providers throughout the province.
Cariboo Chilcotin Métis Association Children and Family Development Services
The Cariboo Chilcotin Métis Association’s Children and Family Development Services provides resources to Métis children, youth and families, cultural gatherings, programming, and opportunities to meaningfully connect with community.
Service area:
Williams Lake, 100 Mile House
Emergency:
Dawna 250-267-3403 or Marlene 250-267-4301
395 Mackenzie Avenue North,
Williams Lake, B.C.
Métis Community Services Society of B.C.
Serving the Kelowna area, the Métis Community Services Society of B.C. provides an array of supports for children and families. These include the Mamawapowin Early Years Centre, health and wellness services at the Park Road location, and their Awasisak Achakos Aboriginal Headstart program for families with children between 3 and 5 years old.
Service area:
Lake Country, Windfield, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland
- Métis Community Services Society of B.C. Phone Number: 250-868-0351
- Métis Community Services Society of B.C. Fax Number: 250-868-0359
- Métis Community Services Society of B.C. : Website
147 Park Road,
Kelowna, B.C.
Island Métis Family and Community Services Society
The Island Métis Family and Community Services Society provides programs for children, youth, adults and Elders. The space includes a community room and playroom, computer lab, teaching garden, counselling room, and access to a community kitchen. The Society also has a Métis Child Care Centre.
Service area:
Greater Victoria, West Shore, Southern Gulf Islands, Cowichan Valley
- Island Métis Family and Community Services Society Phone Number: 250-391-9924
- Island Métis Family and Community Services Society Fax Number: 250-391-0038
- Island Métis Family and Community Services Society : Website
707 Tranquille Road,
Kamloops, B.C.
Niwîķôwin Métis Family Services
Serving the Prince George area, Niwîķôwin Métis Family Services provides culturally specific advocacy and support services to Métis children and families. They provide holistic programming that promotes physical, mental, cultural, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Service area:
Prince George and the surrounding areas including Salmon Valley, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Fort Fraser, Fort St James, Hixon, Quesnel, Bear Lake, Kersley, Willow River, Shelley, Red Rock, Stoner, Beaverly, Shady Valley, Nukko Lake, Chief Lake
- Niwîķôwin Métis Family Services Phone Number: 250-563-1661
- Niwîķôwin Métis Family Services Fax Number: 250-563-1663
- Niwîķôwin Métis Family Services : Website
1546 6th Avenue,
Prince George, B.C.
Gathering the Circle Society
Located in Surrey, the Gathering the Circle Society is committed to working collaboratively with children and families. They provide programming and supports for children and youth in care and youth transitioning into young adulthood, as well as child development services.
Service area:
Surrey, Delta, Ladner, White Rock
- Gathering the Circle Society Phone Number: 604-584-6621
- Gathering the Circle Society Fax Number: 604-582-4820
- Gathering the Circle Society : Website
#312-7485 130th Street,
Surrey, B.C.