Letter from National Chief Atleo to Minister Duncan

supporting Secwepemc Nation Jurisdiction over

Child and Family Services - June 14 2011

Stsmémelt

PLANNING A FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

In 2009, the 17 Secwepemc Chiefs committed to a nation-based approach to achieve full jurisdiction over Secwepemc children and families in the Nation’s traditional territory.

“Our project goal is to look at alternative models to move us towards full jurisdiction.”
Doreen M. Johnson — Project Director

Year One (2010)

The project team asked community members: “Secwepemc children will be living with dignity and respect when?”

We learned the 6 most important issues for communities to address:  healing; language and culture; services; communication; building capacity and resources; and jurisdiction.

Year Two (2011)

Create community plans from the heart for the care of our children and families.

Me7 k’ulem-kt tek tsq’ey’ re p’usmen.

We’ll help Secwepemc communities to design Individual Community Plans that work best for them.

Year Three (2012)

The team will assist communities to put their plans into place.

Xílemce! Cuy’, élksente ne tsq’ey’.

Tekwémiple7

The goal is to breathe life into our traditional laws and customs about children and families.

The team will carry out the research and we’ll learn from elder’s language councils.

Secwepemc lawyers will assist in drafting what we’ve learned into written form.

Vision

The Secwepemc Nation is united, ensuring the survival, dignity and well-being of our people.

 Mission

In pursuit of our Vision, we will:

• Enhance the cultural, social and health outcomes of our people through the exercising of our inherent rights;

• Advance our traditions, customs and beliefs, always celebrating and sharing who we are as a people; and

• Implement Nation-based, family focused, community driven approaches.

Stsmémelt means "children."

It's pronounced Ssh-chah-mah-melt.

Contact us:

680 West Athabasca Street,
Kamloops, BC V2H 1C4
Phone: 778.471.8210
Fax: 778.471.5804
Email: stsadmin@shuswapnation.org

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