Child and Family Services

Métis Child and Family Services Engagement Sessions 2025 

Our Path Towards Jurisdiction  

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth, and Families (Bill C-92) came into force on January 1, 2020. The Act affirms Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination in child and family services and sets national standards that prioritize the best interests of Indigenous children, cultural continuity, and substantive equality.  

The Act allows the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S), as the recognized Indigenous Governing Body for Métis citizens within Saskatchewan, to reclaim responsibility for child and family services. Together with our citizens and communities, we are creating a Métis-distinct Model of Care that honours our culture, protects our children, and builds a stronger future for Métis families. 

To ensure the system truly reflects Métis priorities, MN-S is hosting multi-year engagement sessions with citizens, partners, and stakeholders. Together, we are building the path toward exercising jurisdiction. 

Here is a roadmap showing the work we’re doing together as we move closer to exercising jurisdiction. It lays out the important steps we’ll take along the way.  

Where Are We Now? 

MN-S Child and Family Services is wrapping up Phase 2: Developing Our Model of Care Engagements and moving into Phase 3: Developing Our Laws. In this next phase, we will continue working with citizens to refine our distinctions-based Model of Care for Métis children, youth, and families, while also beginning important conversations about what our dispute resolution mechanisms should look like to support future CFS legislation. 

Over the next 3 years, MN-S will engage citizens, communities, and partners to shape our Métis laws and service models, leading to coordination agreement negotiations with Canada. 

What Comes Next? 

From October to December 2025, MN-S will be returning to communities to hear directly from citizens and gather input. There are many ways to get involved. Explore the “2025 CFS Engagements: Ways to Participate” section below to find the opportunity that works best for you. 

2025 CFS Engagements: Ways to Participate 

We will be out in the community capturing insights from citizens in a variety of ways to ensure all voices are heard. Feedback shared in these sessions will guide the development of a Métis child and family services system that reflects the unique needs of our Nation.  

Interested in sharing your thoughts? Explore the different ways you can add your voice and choose the option that works best for you.  

In-Person Engagement Sessions  

MN-S’ Child and Family Services engagement team will be visiting community locations and hosting engagement events across Saskatchewan. Come talk to us in-person at one of the following dates and locations:  

Engagement Schedule:

Date	Time	Location	Region
Thurs Oct 2	5:00pm-8:30pm	Pinehouse – Community Hall	NR3
Fri Oct 3	5:30pm-9pm	Prince Albert – East End Hall	WR2
Sat Oct 4	Noon – 4pm	Candle Lake – Community Hall	NR1
Sat Oct 4	Noon – 4pm	La Loche – Friendship Centre	NR2
Sun Oct 5	Noon – 4pm	Buffalo Narrows – Friendship Centre	NR2
Sun Oct 5	Noon – 4pm	La Ronge – Seniors Citizen Club	NR1
Sat Oct 18	Noon – 4pm	Moosomin – Canalta	ER3
Sat Oct 18	Noon – 4pm	Meadow Lake – Kingdom Golf	WR1
Sun Oct 19	Noon – 4pm	Chitek Lake – Metis Hall	WR1
Sun Oct 19	Noon – 4pm	Indian Head – Heritage Club	ER3
Sat Oct 25	Noon – 4pm	Cumberland House – Vet’s Hall	ER1
Sun Oct 26	Noon – 4pm	Big River – Metis Hall	WR2
Sun Oct 26	Noon – 4pm	Creighton -Community Centre & Inn	ER1
Sat Nov 1	Noon – 4pm	Lloydminster – Friendship Centre	WR1A
Sat Nov 1	Noon – 4pm	Biggar – New Horizons Project	WR2A
Sun Nov 2	Noon – 4pm	Saskatoon – St George’s Hall	WR2A
Sun Nov 2	Noon – 4pm	North Battleford – Friendship Centre	WR1A
Sat Nov 15	Noon – 4pm	Ile-a-la Crosse – Friendship Centre	NR3
Sat Nov 15	Noon – 4pm	Melfort – Kerry Vikar Centre	ER2
Sun Nov 16	Noon – 4pm	Nipawin – Evergreen Centre	ER2
Sat Nov 29	Noon – 4pm	Esterhazy – Chicken Chef	ER2A
Sun Nov 30	Noon – 4pm	Yorkton – Yorkton Public Library	ER2A
TBD		Regina	WR3
TBD		Swift Current or Moose Jaw	WR3
TBD		Prince Albert Regional Office	WR2

Virtual Engagement Sessions 

Join us online for a virtual engagement session – an easy way to share your voice and connect with us from wherever you feel most comfortable.  

View our upcoming online engagement sessions below:  

Date	Time	Region
Wed Oct 22	6pm – 9 pm	Provincial
Wed Nov 5	6pm – 9 pm	Provincial
Mon Nov 10	6pm – 9 pm	Provincial
Wed Nov 19	6pm – 9pm	Provincial

Online Survey – Coming Soon!

Strapped for time, but still want to share your thoughts? No problem, you can easily contribute through our online survey.  

This online survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete.  

Have Questions? Give Us a Call. 

Our Child and Family Services team is ready to hear from you. Métis citizens are encouraged to share their thoughts and insights on building a Métis Model of Care directly with us by phone. 

To schedule a time to chat with us one-on-one, please send us an email at  ourchildren@mns.ca or call us at (306) 229-3830. 

More information –

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions 

What are we trying to achieve? 

Over the next five years, MN-S will continuously engage with Métis citizens, communities, community-based organizations, partners and other stakeholders to create our own Métis child and family service models and laws that will allow us to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and bring our children and youth home. 

 

Who are we asking to get involved? 

All MN-S citizens are invited to participate. We want to hear from the many perspectives our citizens have to offer. MN-S will also be engaging with community partners and stakeholders. 

  

Why this engagement process? 

MN-S is committed to developing a Child and Family Services system that truly reflects our Métis culture, language, and values, while addressing the evolving needs of Métis children, youth, and families across Saskatchewan. This engagement process is an important opportunity for us to come together as a community, listen, and gather insights that will shape a Métis distinction-based Model of Care. This model will shape the future Métis Child and Family Service System and inform the development of our laws. 

  

When will this happen? 

Our next round of community engagements on Child and Family Services will start in October 2025 and will end in December 2025. 

  

What are we asking of you? 

MN-S is entering Phase 3 of our multi-year engagement process with Métis citizens, stakeholders, and decision-makers. This phase is about shaping a Métis-distinct Child and Family Services (CFS) system and legal framework that will allow us to fully exercise jurisdiction under the Act. 

We want to hear from you about what our future Métis Model of Care should look like. Your input will guide the prioritization of programs and services  designed through community input gathering in 2024 and help us design a dispute resolution approaches rooted in Métis culture, values and traditions. 

  

What will we do with your input and feedback? 

All feedback and insights gathered during this engagement process will be carefully collected, compiled, and reviewed by MN-S CFS staff. Your insights will directly inform the development of a Métis distinction-based child and family services model. 

  

What are we expecting from you? 

We want to hear from you! How much time and input you provide is entirely up to you. We’ve designed several ways for you to get involved, so you can choose what works best for you. Whether you have a few minutes or more time to share your thoughts, visit our project webpage to explore the opportunities available and find the one that suits you best. 

  

How can you get involved? 

We know everyone likes to share their insights in different ways, so pick the option that suits you best. Visit our event page to find a session that works for you. 

  

How will you keep me informed throughout the project? 

At the end of the engagement process, MN-S will release a “What We Heard” report summarizing the feedback we received from Métis citizens, community partners, and stakeholders. We’ll keep you updated on how your insights are shaping the future of Métis child and family services. 

Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, Métis Children, Youth, and Families (the Act), commonly referred to as Bill C-92, came into force on January 1, 2020. The Act affirms Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination and allows Indigenous Governing Bodies (IGBs) to create their own laws, policies, and practices for child and family services.

The Act also sets national standards that prioritize:

• Best interests of the Indigenous child
• Cultural continuity
• Substantive equality

It emphasizes shifting child and family services from apprehension to prevention, focusing on support that strengthens families.

For Métis people in Saskatchewan, the Act provides a framework to create our own child and family services laws and solutions. Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), as the designated IGB for Métis citizens in Saskatchewan, is working to exercise this jurisdiction to protect our children, strengthen families, and foster resilience within our communities.

Metis Nation–Saskatchewan Ministry of Child and Family Services: Community Report 2024-25