Programs
In order to address the Nation's socio-economic factors, the Society will be a centralized organization to advocate, develop and provide case-managed prevention and intervention services.
This includes having one comprehensive intake, coordination of services, and access to culture and community-based programs that will provide an organized and accountable service delivery model to our members. This centralized service delivery model will ensure that all children, youth and family receive effective, meaningful, and organized support services which will ultimately strengthen their sense of safety, identity and overall well-being.
The Society itself will provide an array of holistic, cultural and community-based support services that are focused on prevention activities and healing interventions for Nation members in their homes and with the community. This will include: family enhancement/preservation supports, cultural and traditional supports and activities, and other services for effective community prevention and interventions that will focus on breaking the cycles of intergenerational trauma that has impacted our Nation for many generations.
The Society believes prevention programs must be both short term and long term. Short term prevention programs will address immediate needs and prevent children and families requiring intervention services resulting in less children in care. Long term prevention programs will address generations of families requiring intervention services.
The society has 4 nests of service (programs) under one umbrella which will allow for the creation of centralized service delivery for our children, youth, and families. The programs will work collaboratively together by ensuring appropriate and accountable case-management, by upholding best standards of practice and program services delivery, and avoiding duplication of services.
oskayak kotawân
(Youth Support Programs)
oskayak kotawân HUB is a safe, supportive drop-in home for our youth aged 7-21. The HUB will also provide holistic supports, resources, programming, workshops, cultural supports, mentorship, elder mentorship, community connections and overall lifestyle support for our youth of maskekosihk.
With the support provided from holistic care counsellors, elders, knowledge keepers, community and many more loving souls, youth will gain confidence in their skillset for independence to a safe and healthy lifestyle. Based in culture and holistic support, youth will regain confidence in their identity, reconnect them to their cultural roots, and aid in their journey on the sweet grass road.
Band Designate nâtamâkêwin
The Band Designate nâtamâkêwin is to achieve successful outcomes for our maskêkosak Children, Youth, and Families through a collaborative approach with the Ministry of Alberta Children Services, Delegated First Nation Agencies, and any other provincial services that our nation members may be receiving. The Band Designate position is a legislated position as identified by the Alberta Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act. The Band Designate plays an important advocacy role within the child welfare system for the members of ECN.
Under this program, there will be Jr. Band Designates who act as representatives on behalf of Enoch Cree Nation on matters concerning our children, youth, and families with current involvement with any Children and Family Services nationally. The Jr. Band designate will play a key role in building connections and relationships with the service teams and members of our Nation. They will case-manage on behalf of Enoch Cree Nation and align our nehiyiaw nistohtamawin (Cree way of understanding) with the members and service delivery.
pêyakohêwamak
(Voluntary Family Support Program)
The pêyakohêwamak program aims to provide supports and programming that will strengthen the safety and well-being of maskêkosihk families through targeted prevention activities, support services, and healing interventions that align with the context of maskêkosihk (Enoch) nehiyiaw nistohtamawin. With an emphasis on culturally grounded approaches to support our families with appropriate case-managed services.
pêyakohêwamak is a voluntary program for families who are open and willing to partake in support services and programs. pêyakohêwamak aims to develop a safe welcoming environment that is guided by the maskêkosak Centralized Service Delivery model. Support and goals are customized and determined by the families we work with in order to meet the families where they are at.
Under the peyakohewamak program, we offer a Preservation & Reunification Nest to work with families. The fully furnished home is to prevent out-of-home placement and/or to reunite children with their families. Our goal is to support families with the kanawemawasiwapiwin (keeping and watching children’s spirit). During this time in the home (max four months) families will have access to peyakohewamak supports, cultural programs and needed services on our Treaty 6 Nation
Children Support Services
(Province)
Enoch Cree Nation is seeking to develop support services that focus on supporting the families of our Nation through a maskêkosak cultural lens which is founded on nehiyiaw nistohtamawin (Cree way of understanding). Services will ensure there is adequate care for the children, youth, and families they are serving day to day. This will be achieved by incorporating a culturally appropriate intervention service that will align with the Nations Law, the society’s foundation and objectives, and our traditional roots and connections of maskêkosak.
Currently, Enoch Cree Nation is receiving Children and Family services from the Government of Alberta. They case-manage children in care and intervention, early childhood development, kinship and foster care, adoption, and intake/assessment for both on and off reserve. The priority of the maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society is to align the maskêkosak Child and Family Law, the Maskekosak Centralized Service Delivery Model, and our intervention services to initiate a transition plan from services provided under the Provinces to the authority of the Nation and the MNN Society. The priority of the Nation is to assert and exercise our full jurisdictional and inherent right over our children, youth, and families across turtle island.