Dakota Ojibway Child & Family Services

About

Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services Inc. (DOCFS) was established to provide child and family services to the seven (7) First Nations in Southern Manitoba.

The task of protecting children and assisting families has been entrusted to DOCFS by the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council communities. The intent of the Agency has been and continues to be the provision of service that recognizes traditional First Nation values and customs and is compatible with the needs of the community in which they reside.

Vision

"Taking Care of Our Own"

Mission

Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services will protect our children and strengthen our families and communities'. capacity to care for their children.

Principles

The Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services Board of Directors hereby adopt and recognize the fundamental principles guiding the provision of the Child and Family Services Act of Manitoba in a manner compatible to the needs of the communities:

The best interest of the children is a priority and a fundamental responsibility of our communities.
The family is the basic unit of our communities, and its well-being is supported and preserved.
The family is the basic source of care, nurture, and acculturation of children; and families and communities have the primary responsibility to ensure the well-being of their children.
Families and children have the right to the least interference in their affairs.
Children have a right to a continuous family environment in which they can flourish.

Families and children will be informed of their rights and to participate in the decision affecting those rights.
Families will receive services, preserving harmony and the family unit, which respect their cultural, spiritual, and linguistic heritage.
Decisions to remove or place children are based on the best interests of the child and the family and not based on the family's financial status.

Mandate

During the 1960's and 70's the women and elders, then leadership from communities became increasingly alarmed by the number children being removed from the community. With strong leadership, vision and advocacy from the community, discussion began to develop a child welfare model based upon the values, traditions and needs of the communities. The founding members included: David Daniels, Art Meeches, Ernie Smoke, Issac Beaulieu, Jack Kasto, Simon Prince, Felix Antione, Louie Chaske, Betty Martin, Lawrence Soldier, Frank Eastman, and Art Wambidee. There were also several women, elders, community members and technician who worked behind the scenes to guide and consult with communities, families, youth, and children to develop a service model to meet their needs.

On July 1, 1981, Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services (DOCFS) was mandated to deliver services to the eight DOTC communities; Birdtail Dakota Sioux First Nation, Canupawakpa Dakota Nation, Dakota Plains Wahpeton Oyate, Long Plain First Nation, Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, Sandy Bay First Nation, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, and Swan Lake First Nation.

On April 28, 2004, the mandate was extended to enable DOCFS to deliver services to the membership of those eight communities wherever they lived in the Province of Manitoba. We have offices in Brandon, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg.

On September 1, 2007, Sandy Bay First Nation received their own mandate and became an independent agency. On August 1, 2009, a Sub Agreement between DOCFS, Sandy Bay CFS and the Southern Authority was signed to enable Dakota Plains to receive service through Sandy Bay CFS.

On April 1, 2015, the agreement ended and DOCFS resumed providing services to Dakota Plains Wahpeton. On June 15, 2015, DOCFS entered into a service agreement with Intertribal CFS and Southern First Nation Network of Care to provide services to Dakota Tipi. On September 15, 2021, the service agreement ended, and Dakota Tipi mandate was transferred to DOCFS. DOCFS now delivers service to eight of the DOTC communities - Birdtail Sioux First Nation, Canupawakpa Dakota Nation, Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation, Dakota Tipi First Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, and Swan Lake First Nation.

July 1, 2022, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation received their own mandate and became an independent agency now known as Dakota Tiwahe Services.

December 2, 2024, Long Plain First nation received their own mandate and became an independent agency now known as Makoose C. Gamik Inc.

DOCFS is governed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of representation from each of the seven DOCFS member communities and one Dakota Elder and one Ojibway Elder

DOCFS is a non-profit, community-based organization which provides child protection and family services under the auspices of the Southern First Nation Network of Care (Southern Authority)