STAWATSIMAANI

Kainaiwa Children's Service Corporation

Blood Tribe Family Preservation Code

The Blood Tribe Family Preservation Code

BTFPC is a proposed child services legislation rooted in Kainaiysinni, the traditional laws and values of the Blood Tribe. This initiative is dedicated to creating a culturally appropriate, community-driven framework that safeguards the well-being of Kainai children and families.

About
the Blood Tribe Family Preservation Code

The Kainaiwa Children Services’ response to the C-92 legislation highlights our commitment to empowering their community by enacting their own child welfare laws that are rooted in Kainaiysinni, the traditional laws, customs, and values of the Kainai Nation. With the passage of Bill C-92, which grants First Nations the right to implement their own child and family services legislation, Kainaiwa Children Services aims to align its policies with their cultural framework and community priorities.

The development of the Family Preservation Code is a key step toward ensuring that children services are not only responsive to modern needs but also deeply reflective of the Kainai people’s heritage and traditions. This law would prioritize family preservation, which aligns with the broader vision of the community—maintaining kinship ties, cultural connections, and supporting families to thrive. By utilizing our inherent right to self-governance, the Kainai Nation is ensuring that their child welfare services are culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and strengthen the fabric of the community.

Questions
and Answers

Because every First Nation is different. We all have unique cultures and traditions, so each Nation can create a law that fits their own way of life.

These are rules that everyone must follow when working with Indigenous children:

  1. Best Interests of the Child – Look at the child’s full well-being, including their culture and family ties.
  2. Cultural Continuity – Help kids stay connected to their language, culture, and community.
  3. Fair Treatment – Make sure kids get equal access to services, and consider the challenges they face.
  4. Prevention First – Help families before removing children. Offer support like housing help or addiction services.
  5. Family and Community Involvement – Include extended family and community in decisions.
  6. Transparency – Service providers must explain their decisions, especially if they remove a child.

We’re creating our own law—the Family Preservation Code—based on our values and traditions. It will guide how we care for our children and families.

We expect to share the first draft in January 2026, and we’ll notify the provincial and federal governments by June 2026.

Bill C-92 is a Canadian law that says First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people have the right to run their own child and family services. It means:

  1. We can make our own child welfare laws based on our culture and traditions.
  2. All services must follow national rules that put the child’s best interests first, keep kids connected to their culture, and treat everyone fairly.
  3. Our laws come first—once we have our own law and try to work with the province and federal government, our law will be followed before provincial ones.
  • We already have some control over child protection through Alberta’s laws.
  • Kainaiwa Children Services offers programs to help families before problems get worse.
  • Even now, before we have our own law, the Blood Tribe must be told before any big decisions are made about a Blood Tribe child. This gives us a chance to speak up in court and help keep the child connected to their family and community.

Yes. Once we pass our own law (called the Family Preservation Code) and try to work with the province and federal government, our law will take priority. That means others must follow our law first when making decisions about our children.

You can join community meetings and focus groups happening throughout the year. There’s also a survey where you can share your thoughts. Check the KCSC website or use the QR codes for more info.