Government choose 10 children's guardians

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The newly formed Children's Guardianship program recently appointed 10 individuals from 200 applicants to "better ensure sensitivity" to children in care of Alberta Social Services.

Those selected for the positions first had to undergo six months of orientation, which included two general types of training - classroom and "hands on" experience. They either went to classes already offered in university or government formulated classes, especial designed for the program.

The "hands on" experience included training with a social worker or a regional guardianship worker already working i in this field. "The orientation is flexible...workers become more and more progressively involved," said Dr. Herb Sohn, who oversees the rest of the guardians.

Native Children's Guardians Anne Manyfingers and Randy McHugh will assume the responsibility for the Native children in care in two regions of Alberta and will assist the regional childrens' guardians in their area of the province.

"It is extremely important to have guardians from the native communities working in these communities," said Sohn. Randy McHugh, who is from the Gleichen reserve, is one such individual.

The Blackfoot Band Council in Gleichen is the first Native community to sign an agreement with the province, allowing McHugh to act as an advisor to the council.

"The Blackfoot Band is heard with a sensitive and patient understanding," said McHugh, 34, who received both his Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from

the University of Calgary. He also majored in psychology and obtained his undergraduate degree at Wilfred Laurier University.

The former juvenile probation officer said that a fair view of individual families and cultural differences will be taken into consideration at all times when dealing with wards of the government. Native families will not have to conform white ideas of child care, which is becoming a widely accepted concept of child care, and will be more involved with decisions directly affecting them.

"While being an advocate of the child and the department," said McHugh, "I will provide suggestions for change to the department (Alberta Social Services)...the program is still in the process of being developed."

Two more Native Children's Guardians "are being recruited to fulfill a commitment made to the Native bands and council in negotiations with the departments..."