Native child rights on agenda

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KOOTENAYS REGION-Changes are are being promoted to child welfare services delivery in the Kootenays.

The Aboriginal Peoples Family Accord (APFA)is trying to get more involvement by Aboriginal people, whether First Nations or Metis, in the health and safety issues affecting their children.

Although Aboriginal children comprise just eight per cent of the population, they account for 45 per cent of children in Care in British Columbia. Six APFA zone facilitators are currently gathering community input towards creation of a new service plan. The template they are creating will reflect the community's will and direction for changes in child protection, foster care, guardianship and youth justice.

APFA implementation manager Leslie Varley said, "Communities are starting to imagine more culturally empowering and holistic services, and supporting these with increased community responsibility ... We have a huge challenge, and an exciting opportunity to outline in the service plan how we intend to change child and family services," said Varley.

A regional advisory meeting, open to the public, is being held in Cranbrook Nov. 17. For more information, contact APFA spokespeople Bob Pasco (250) 455-2711; Eliza Terbasket (250) 707-0095 ext. 117; or Debbie Abbott (250) 455-2711.