Delegated First Nation Agencies

Overview

First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities play a major role in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of child intervention services.

The majority of on-Reserve child intervention services are delivered by Delegated First Nation Agencies (DFNAs).

DFNAs are federally or provincially incorporated legal entities and independent contractors. They are not Crown corporations or part of Children’s Services.

Child intervention services are delivered on Reserves by Delegated First Nation Agencies through 19 Agreements with 37 of the 48 First Nations in Alberta.

DFNAs are responsible for the provision of child intervention services to all persons situated within the geographical boundaries of the First Nation they serve.

The DFNAs governance structure consists of a Board of Directors who are responsible to oversee the administration and operations of the agency. The boards are appointed by, and accountable to, their respective Chief and Council.

Indigenous Services Canada funds the agencies for the provision of Children’s Services on-Reserve, and the province of Alberta is responsible for the legislative and policy framework for service delivery.

Delegated First Nation agreements

As the DFNAs are independent contractors, all aspects of their service delivery responsibilities, accountabilities, exercise of delegated authority and relationship with the Ministry of Children’s Services must be set out in formal service delivery agreements.

A total of 19 DFNAs service delivery agreements are in place for On-Reserve delivery of child intervention services by Delegated First Nation Agencies.  Under these agreements, Alberta provides delegations of authority under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act necessary to enable the First Nation agencies to provide the full range of provincial child intervention services within the geographical boundaries of their respective First Nations reserves. The agencies, who have been given delegated authority, deliver services as per the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.

Delegated First Nation Agencies

Resources

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association

Assembly of First Nations

Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society

Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations

Freehorse Family Wellness

Métis National Council

National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence

National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization

Native Counselling Services of Alberta

Treaty 7

Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC)