We are the decision-makers of our sqilxʷ, syilx, sʔukʷnaqínx ways. Our ways are central to the health and well-being of all sqilxʷ/ syilx/sʔukʷnaqínx Peoples, including our children and families. We ensure this is intertwined with who they are and their roots.
– axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nəqsil̓tət, Syilx Family Declaration, 2022
Family Decision Making (FDM) is a family-driven process where members of the child’s family, community and supports come together to make plans for safety and wellbeing.
FDM helps to promote and develop the capacity of Indigenous families and communities to care for and protect children. FDM often helps to avoid the need for court involvement, ensuring that families have access to resources and services that can help, and build stronger relationship together. FDM respects and understands Indigenous ways of being and knowing. This program provides space for family healing and planning to support this goal and promotes family safety and connection.
How Does FDM Work?
- FDM is a confidential and voluntary process that recognizes family strengths and respects the child’s Aboriginal culture and connections with their community.
- The FDM Coordinator is independent of the Band, Friendship Centre and Ministry of Children and Family Development.
- The Coordinator works with participants to ensure balancing of the circle so that people can come together in a good way.
- The Coordinator will inform the family of the FDM process, legal processes and other options available to them.
- The role of the family in the FDM circle is to actively participate and plan for their children’s safety, wellness, permanency, culture and any other areas decided by the family to be appropriate and important.
- In situations where there is MCFD involvement, the MCFD’s social workers role is to agree to, as well as support and resource family plans wherever possible.
FDM supports the Okanagan Nation’s member communities and any Indigenous families in the Syilx Okanagan territory. The program receives referrals from Syilx Nation Bands, Friendship Centers, MCFD Social Workers, Band and/or School District schools, Metis Associations or direct self-referrals from families and individuals. FDM serves:
- Syilx Nation families and individuals
- Families involved in or at risk to be involved with MCFD Child Protection Services.
- All Indigenous people, both urban and reserve based, including Metis
FDM is a voluntary process that recognizes and focuses on family strengths. Through partnership and collaboration between families, communities, and service providers, FDM facilitates talking circles with a child/youth’s family and supports to ensure a safe space for discussion. This process is discussed with the family and may be altered to suit family protocol.
Opening: A circle begins with sharing food, prayer, smudge, or song, followed by introductions and guidelines set by the family.
Information: The circle will then move forward to discuss family strengths, share concerns, and ask questions.
Family Planning: The circle will continue with family, supports and service providers to discuss any concerns and decide on a plan.
The Plan: After completing the family planning process, the family can review the plan and address any questions with their supports and service providers.
Coming together to problem solve in this manner has been happening in the Okanagan since long before contact.
The FDM circles have been highly successful in keeping our families unified and strong. Based on our values of collective responsibility, our model treats the wider family network of kin and community as a source of strength and seeks to actively involve them in decision making.
As a collective perspective gives rise to a collective responsibility, this is our Indigenous way of caring for and supporting our families. Through this process, we ensure connection to ancestral lands, culture and language for our children.
Key Principles:
- Family-driven and communal approach
- Informed decision making
- Consensus and finding common ground
- Expanding the circle
- Strength-based conflict resolution
- Family plan is prioritized and supported
- Honouring and creating space for different perspectives
axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət – Syilx Family Declaration
The Syilx Family Declaration outlines the guiding values, responsibilities, and principles that strengthen and inform our Family Decision Making approach.
The axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət Family Declaration, completed after six years of work and signed by Elders, Language Speakers, and the Chief’s Executive Council in 2022, is a crucial expression of Syilx cultural values and knowledge. It is a guideline for guests and visitors to abide by when working with our families and children on our territory.
At its core, the declaration embodies the essence of Syilx cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, serving as a tangible expression of sqilxwcawt (Syilx cultural ways of being) and captíkʷł knowledge essential for the community’s well-being.
Contact
Family Decision Making Lead
Phone: 250-878-4085
Email: FDM.Lead@syilx.org