October 6, 2025

Open Letter to Peguis First Nation Members

Peguis Child and Family Services – Service Performance Summary

Dear Members,

Peguis Child and Family Services, along with the Board of Directors, wish to thank and offer

appreciation to the Peguis Members for allowing us to be a part of their family wellness journeys.

As part of this appreciation, we note that families are stepping up, coming forward and taking their

rightful place in raising their children.

The following information is a reflection of the positive role and uptake of services by Peguis

Membership as the Agency works on fulfilling the operationalization and implementation of the

Honouring our Children, Families and Nation Act (the “Act”).

Moreover, by asserting our inherent rights, we are actionizing our jurisdiction as an act of

decolonization. We have removed ourselves from colonial legislation such as the Manitoba Child

and Family Services Act where much harm to Indigenous children has occurred. As a matter of

fact, by asserting our self-determination in the area of child welfare, we have positively influenced

provincial legislation1 since the Legislature had to respond to the Act and has amended several

pieces of provincial laws as a result.

Peguis Child and Family Services are meeting all reporting requirements to Peguis First Nation

and Membership, Canada and Manitoba. The Honouring Our Children, Families and Nation Act

is in effect, and working amazingly for Peguis Members. Below are some highlights of these

effects:

• Since Fiscal Year 2021/2022 to Fiscal Year ending on March 31, 2025 Audited Financial

Statements are posted on the Agency’s website, including annual reports and reports to

Chief and Council and Membership.

• The Agency successfully submitted and received an additional 16.2M in capital funding in

April 2023 to build and develop resources to provide culturally appropriate child and family

services. The total funding to date for capital is approximately 31.3M.

• Since the Honouring Our Children, Families and Nation Act (the “Act”) came into force on

January 21, 2022, the number of children coming into care has decreased by 80%, over

a 4-year period 2021-2025.

• As of October 5, 2025, there are 222 children in care. 99% of children in care who reside

in Peguis First Nation are cared for by immediate and extended family members. 97% of

children in care who reside outside of the community are cared for by immediate and

extended family members.

• As of October 5, 2025, the Agency employs 138 child and family service workers that

specifically focus on delivery of child and family services, as per the Act. The caseload

ratio has been significantly reduced to ensure comprehensive child and family services for

children, youth and families. An average of 6 child and family service workers may engage

in direct service delivery with a child and the child’s family.

• This does not include other forms of face to face interactions such internal prevention

services provided by Reclaiming Our Ways Program, Debinan Program, Grandparent

Mentorship Program, culturally appropriate services (Traditional Camps, Elder Services

etc.), community gatherings and/or contact with other service providers (Peguis Jordan’s

Principle, Peguis Central School/other community schools) that form the safety net for

children, youth and families.

• Since January 31, 2022, to June 30, 2025 - Customary Care Agreements resulted in 209

children prevented from coming into care. Customary Care Agreements are decisions

made and led by the family.

• From April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025 - 16 children are no longer in the care and control of

the Agency and are supported financially through supported subsidized guardianships

until they reach 18 years of age – these caregivers are now the legal guardians of the

children.

• From July 31, 2024, to June 30, 2025: 11 children are no longer in the care and control of

the Agency and are supported financially through Customary Acceptance (traditional

adoption) until they reach 18 years of age – the caregivers of these children are now the

legal guardians through the Acceptance Commission process. This process is led by

Elders and decisions are made in the best interests of the child.

• Through the Extension of Service Agreement process and pursuant to Section 12 of the

Act, services are provided to youth between the ages of 18 up to their 26th birthday. Upon

reaching the age of majority at 18, youth may enter into a goal-driven agreement known

as an “Extension of Service Agreement.” The agreement acts as a guide for the support

to learn to live independently. Since the first year of implementation of the Peguis Act, the

number of Extension of Service Agreements has increased by 109%. Reporting on June

30, 2025, 135 youth have entered into a voluntary service agreement.

• Since the first year of implementation of Honouring Our Children, Families and Nation Act,

the annual participant rate in prevention services has increased by 150%. Compared to

annual participation rates prior to the implementation of the Peguis Act. The participation

rate in prevention services has increased by nearly 952%, reporting on March 31, 2025,

members accessed prevention services through 26,635 points of service. A positive

uptake of prevention services.

• By establishing trust and providing a safe and nurturing environment through the provision

of child and family services, there has been a steady growth in participation for prevention

services and culturally appropriate services. 6,436 children, youth and families accessed

culturally appropriate services, reported on March 31, 2025.

• The combined participation for prevention and culturally appropriate services in 2024-

2025 was 33,071 points of service.

• Prior to the implementation of the Act, the average number of emergency after hours

requests between 2014-2021 was 837 per year. The average number of emergency after

hours requests, increased after the Act came into force, with an average of 2,655 requests

per year between 2021-2025. This is an overall increase of 217% in annual emergency

after hours requests responded to by the Agency.

• Reporting over a 3-month period from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, 46% of membership

intakes voluntarily requested support services from the Intake and After Hours Program

and there were 1,645 in person visits conducted.

• The impacts of the Act since it came into force has progressively shifted Peguis First

Nation members experience with child and family services. The Agency is responsive and

continues to provide support and services that empower children, youth and families.

• The overall culturally delivery of child and family services under the Act, demonstrates

how reconciliation with children, youth, families, and community members that participate

in services and/or Agency gatherings is actionized. The data confirms the significant

decrease in new admissions of children in care, the dramatic increase in prevention

services, and the implementation of Alternatives to the Court Process, such as Customary

Care Agreements, Supported Subsidized Guardianships, and Customary Acceptance.

• The above, and more, is a direct result of the operationalization of the Act. Under the Act,

service delivery and enhanced prevention models that are rooted in cultural values. The

Agency invests in children, youth, and families through cultural services, traditional ways

of knowing, and upholding the family’s inherent decision-making rights and provides the

necessary supports when facing challenges.

• In fiscal year 2024/2025 there was 21 complaints made to the Agency and all complaints

were resolved.

• There were zero critical incidents for fiscal year 2024/2025.

Members are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns, please call: Kirk Mann,

Communication Director 204-645-2049.