The Syilx Nation has a sovereign responsibility and mandate to ensure the cultural integrity, safety, and well-being of all our children and families are upheld.
Building on the groundwork laid by our cultural values, guidance provided by both the community and best practices in Indigenous family wellness, a model has emerged that will allow us to exercise jurisdiction over our children and families. The Syilx Child and Family Plan is an approach to service delivery that addresses complex root causes caused by colonialism and reinforces our community’s ability to create healthy environments where children are safe and can thrive.
The Syilx culture, the nsyilxcen language, and the enowkin’wixw process are the foundation upon which this Plan rests. Families are at the center and prevention is the focus. As we move towards this future vision the ONA has already implemented the Family Decision Making Program.
axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət – Syilx Family Declaration
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.
The completion and signing of the axá iʔ sccuntət iʔ tl x̌aʔxitət x̌l iʔ nqsil̓tət Family Declaration in 2022 represent a significant milestone for the Syilx Nation. This process, spanning six years and involving various stakeholders like Elders and Language Speakers, underscores the meticulous attention to detail and cultural significance imbued within the document.
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
Charlotte Gabriel-Singh, Child and Family Administrator
Phone: 250-859-1572
Email: CF.Lead@syilx.org