The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is welcoming the provincial government’s decision to launch an independent review of Manitoba’s Child and Family Services funding and governance model.

 

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced the review earlier this week after years of calls from First Nations leadership for changes to how the system is funded.

 

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee says the current Single Envelope Funding model has not kept pace with growing needs since it was introduced in 2019.

 

The organization says the review should consider factors including rising numbers of children in care, increasing case complexity, inflation, staffing needs and higher operating costs.

 

MKO also notes that Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented in Manitoba’s child welfare system, accounting for about 91 per cent of children in care.

 

The external review is expected to begin later this year and take about a year to complete.

 

MKO says it wants First Nations leadership, CFS authorities and agencies to play a central role in the review process, with any future changes developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.