In 2021, Cowessess First Nation became the first Nation in Saskatchewan to sign a coordination agreement with the federal government under the FNIM Act.

Cowessess First Nation Council enacted the Cowessess First Nation Miyo Pimatisowin Act on April 1, 2021. That Act now governs child and family services provided to Cowesses First Nation citizens or those eligible to be citizens. In some cases, it may also apply to non-Cowessess citizens living on Cowessess First Nation. The Act applies in priority to provincial law and to most federal laws in the case of any conflict.

The Act:

defines a child as any Cowessess citizen (or someone eligible to become a citizen) under 21 years of age
says services can be provided to non-Cowessess citizens living on Cowessess First Nation if a coordination agreement for those services is in place
creates the Chief Red Bear Children's Lodge, an agency with a Director and a board of governors to deliver child and family services to Cowessess citizens
creates the Eagle Women Tribunal to hear disputes
contains the same standards as the FNIM Act
requires that parents, care providers and Council be given notice of any disgnificant measure taken with respect to a child
says when a child is in need of protection
requires an investigation into information received that a child is in need of intervention
allows the Director to enter into agreements with parents for prevention services and/or for the Director to be given custody of a child. Agreements with the Director can be made for whatever period of time the parties agree too, including on a permanent basis.
allows the Director to apprehend a child if they have reasonable and probable grounds to believe the child is in need of intervention
says that when a child is apprehended the child stays in the custody of the Director until the Director decides that parents or extended family can parent the child
says that the Director determines access to a child who has been apprehended
says that the Director's custody takes precedence over any other custody agreement or order previously granted
allows for licences to be issued for residential facilities and sets standards for those facilities
allows anyone who disagrees with a decision of the Director to request that the Eagle Women Tribunal review the decision
requires Cowessess First Nation to review the Act every five years

Learn more by going to Chief Red Bear Children's Lodge.