Indigenous Governing Bodies
An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Federal Act)
Section 12 of the Federal Act requires the Director of Child and Family Services to provide notice to the Indigenous governing body to which a child or youth belongs before taking a significant measure in relation to the child or youth.
The Department of Health and Social Services interprets significant measures as being broader than court proceedings, which is more extensive than the notices provided to “applicable Aboriginal organizations” under the NWT’s Child and Family Services Act.
The Federal Act requires the Indigenous governing body to inform the Department of Health and Social Services that it is authorized to act on behalf of a section 35 rights-holding collective for the purposes of s.12 significant measures notice. This can include, for example, a copy of a board resolution, board approved motion, or referendum.
For a list of Indigenous governing bodies in the NWT, please see here:
The reason why notice is provided is to give the Indigenous governing body an opportunity to have their views heard before a significant measure is taken.
If you are an Indigenous governing body that wants to receive notice under s.12, please send documentation to:
Arijana Haramincic
Territorial Executive Direction, Child and Family Services
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
or by email at: Arijana_Haramincic@gov.nt.ca
For more information on receiving notice under s.12, please see:
- Notice to Indigenous Governing Body prior to taking a Significant Measure
- Notice to Parent and Care Provider prior to taking a Significant Measure
- Requirement to provide notice before taking a significant measure in relation to an Indigenous child or youth
- Commitment to Indigenous children, youth and families
- Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families