Opaskwayak Cree Nation aims to take over its child welfare services by next fall
Bill C-92, which allows First Nations to create their own child protection laws, came into effect as of January 1, 2020.
Sonny Cochrane (Q.C.), Jessica Saunders, and Robyn Fraser (pictured in the CBC article on the left hand side) have been hard at work with Onekanew (Chief) Christian Sinclair and Council of Opaskwayak Cree Nation to help create Wahkohtowin law.
“Wahkohtowin” is a Cree word which denotes the interconnected nature of relationships, communities, and natural systems. Its literal meaning is “kinship”, but it is often used to refer to Cree law, or Cree codes of conduct.
They are hoping to implement their new laws by October 2020.
Cochrane Saxberg is proud and excited to be assisting OCN in the creation of this historical law, which represents an important advancement in both Indigenous child protection and Canada’s continued journey towards First Nations self-governance.
