QBOW Child and Family Services, Inc. is a non-profit organization which provides child welfare services to four First Nations within Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan: Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, Wahpeton Dakota Nation, and Wood Mountain Lakota Nation.
Vision
We aspire to be a leader in high quality service and program delivery to our strong and healthy Indigenous families in the communities we serve.
Mission
Our commitment is to offer prevention, protection and family supports services that empower families.
- We respect the dignity of individuals, the rights of all communities served and the potential for human growth and development;
- We believe that children are a sacred gift of the Creator and should be loved, honored and protected;
- We believe that the sharing of ideas, knowledge, values and experience is essential to the achievement of our Vision;
- We believe that the strength of our staff and wisdom or our Elders are the foundation of our Vision;
- We believe in the unity and equality of all Indigenous Nations to achieve our Vision
Values
Our commitment is to offer prevention, protection and family supports services that empower families.
- To respect the dignity of individuals, rights of all members First Nations and the potential for human growth and development.
- We believe that children are a sacred gift of the Creator and should be loved, honoured and protected.
- We believe that the sharing of ideas, knowledge, values and experience is essential to the achievement of our vision.
- We believe that the strength of our staff and wisdom of our Elders are the foundation of our vision.
- We believe in the unity and equality of all First Nations to achieve our vision.
Goals
- Communicate our Vision, values and principles so that our objectives are understood by all;
- Pursue our Vision in a way that exemplifies at all times Indigenous values and beliefs so that our integrity is never compromised.
- Ensure both traditional and contemporary approaches to care are recognized in program services and delivery.
- Ensure policies and procedures that affect children and their families are communicated so they are understood and are readily accessible to them.
- Respect the social, cultural, spiritual differences of children, their families and communities.
- Ensure the special needs of children and their families are identified, and that their linguistic, cultural and spiritual needs are recognized when providing services to them.
- Ensure programs assist families in meeting their responsibilities as parents and enhancing their skills to the benefit of the family as a whole.
- Make available a range of programs and services that will enhance the quality of life for all those we serve.
- Mobilize resources to ensure our communities receive the necessary support and assistance to achieve individual community interests and initiatives.
- Ensure our staffing practices are based on the merit principle and reflect the importance of hiring and promoting individuals who possess values and abilities consistent with our objectives, and who demonstrate a variety of attributes and skills, with emphasis on maturity, good judgement, effective communication and teamwork.
- Foster good relationships with our partners at Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services, indigenous Services Canada, local authorities, Saskatchewan ICFS Agency’s, our QBOW Child and Family Services Inc. communities, and others involved with Indigenous children and families.
Principles
- We respect the rights of all individuals, children, families and all those involved in the provision of services to the children and their families.
- Our paramount concern is what is in the best interests of the child, the family, and community.
- All of our dealings with individuals will be open, transparent, fair and humane.
- We believe that respecting the right of those involved in QBOW Child and Family Services Inc. Chiefs and councils will be informed participants in the decision-making process.
- We recognize the value of the child, the family and community.
- We will respect the culture, traditions, and values of all member Indigenous Nations.
- We will demonstrate social and fiscal responsibility by seeking necessary, culturally appropriate resources and by using them in the best way possible.
- We are here to ensure the children’s best interest is kept in all services provided by QBOW Child and Family Services Inc. and will continuously strive for excellence in achieving our Vision.
- Our focus is on early intervention, with the objective of creating a safe environment for children. We strive to create and promote healthy communities where families are supported.
- We believe that keeping our children and families strong and united is the most important thing we can do to benefit our communities.
- By enriching elements of individual culture and traditions, we aim to enhance the healing process in many of our communities in need. Wellness goes beyond addressing surface level concerns and a difference is only made when the emotional, mental, spiritual aspects of life are unified in the healing process.
- With a healthy balance of both traditional and contemporary approaches, we provide programs and services intended to improve the lives of individuals while respecting First Nations values and beliefs. The children are our future and we must protect them and the families and communities who raise them at all costs. Our programs and services address a wide range of complex social problems and are provided as per the ‘Family Centered Approach Manual’ offered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services.
QBOW is a unique partnership brought about by the desire to uphold important principles related to “Indian Control” and “Standards” as described in the FSIN’s ‘Indian Child Welfare & Family Support Act’:
- Under Treaty, Indian Nations have the right to exercise Indian Government jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to their citizens.
- Indian Nations have the right to determine the level of services they wish to deliver, delegate to Tribal Council or Commissions, purchase or joint-venture.
- Indian Nations (or delegated authorities) have the right to establish standards for their citizens based on identified community needs and aspirations.
- Indian Nations (or delegated authorities) will be accountable to their citizens on all matters related to the delivery of goods and services.
- Indian Nations (or delegated authorities) will ensure that the transition from federal administrative control to Indian Government control is based on Indian Government principles.
- The Federal Trust Responsibility will be maintained and strengthened by Indian Nations and their delegated authorities.
- The fiscal obligation of the Federal Government includes the provision of resources for the payment of services related to development, executive management, program delivery, professional services, contractual arrangements with other governments, administration, and capital.