We are excited to share the latest update on the Chiy̓áxw Project (Child & Family Law) with the Community.
What’s the Chiy̓áxw Project?
The Squamish Nation is developing our own law, called Chiy̓áxw, that will describe how we care for, support, and serve our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh children, youth and families. It will respect our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture, family values, and teachings. Once complete, a draft of the law will be available for the Community’s review and feedback.
We are making changes to the way we do things at the Nation:
- Mandatory and on-going staff training: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural training for all staff will include responding to the impacts of generational trauma, mental health, and substance abuse.
- Changing how child safety supports are delivered. Staff roles will change from investigating and assessing parental care; the focus moving forward will become facilitating supportive service relationships with parents and families.
- Bringing child decision-making back to Nation families: The families of each child will make childcare decisions as needed, along with the input of Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
- A Nation Matriarch Group will review and make final childcare case decisions when needed, to ensure that the best interests of a child or youth are always respected and protected.
We will continue to share information about this important project.