maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society

Overview

The maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society is mandated to oversee the support services for maskêkosihk (Land of the Medicine) that will promote, protect, and support the well-being, resilience, and strength of our children, youth and families.

Maskêkosak (Pronounced Muss-Kay-GO-Sak) and translates as ‘People of the land of Medicine’. Newowacistwan – translates into “Four Spirit Nests”. Nâtamâkêwin – advocate and empower for those who can’t for themselves

Newowacistwan means Four Spirit Nests. Its because of the four spirits and where they are sitting in the ceremony. Four nests sit where those spirits symbols are sitting. People attending the ceremony sit down altogether, they depend on those nests to help us, to guide us and to prevent things for us. They point to the four directions. The fifth direction is us, our people. Nehîyawak Ayisîniwak (Cree people of this land) are spiritual people. The purpose of ceremony is to guide us, and to help us succeed and to get there.

maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society has been identified as the Indigenous Governing Body for Enoch Cree Nation with respect to all child, youth, and family services

The maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society is governed by the kanawemawasîwapîwin Board. The name of the Board was given in the ceremony and translates into the following:

kanawemawasîwapîwin (pronounced k-un-na-way-m-ow-wasoo-up-poo-win) means “watchers of the children’s spirit.”

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.

Services

Children’s Support Services
Children’s Foundation

Post Majority Supports – Post-majority support services support youth aging out of care and young adults formerly in care, from the age of majority up to and including the age of 25. The goal of post-majority support services is to provide voluntary wrap-around support that meets the distinct needs and promotes holistic positive outcomes for thriving First Nations youth and young adults. Supports include housing, food, employment, healthy relationships, mental health, wellness, and addiction supports.

Childrens’ Foundation – mechet Charities funds the foundation to further support children in care (CFS) with special needs (this is separate from our society). Items: Laptops, school activities/ needs, etc.

Laws and Jurisdiction- An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children, youth and families recognizes that Indigenous peoples have the inherent right to jurisdiction over their own First Nation Child and Family Services. maskêkosihk has given notice and is an Indigenous Governing Body. Inherent jurisdiction recognizes and affirms the inherent right of self-government includes jurisdiction in relation to First Nation Child and Family Services, which includes authority for Indigenous Governing Bodies to draft their own FNCFS Laws, administer and enforce these FNCFS Laws, and to provide dispute resolution mechanisms. maskêkosihk Child and Family Services Law will have the power to have the force of law as Federal Law (after a year) and will prevail over all Federal and Provincial Laws.

kanawemawasîwapîwin Board- The board is responsible for providing the highest standard of governance and guidance to the maskêkosihk newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin Society Programs that support children, youth and families of maskêkosihk. There are currently six board members.

Location:

25888 – 70 Ave & 259 st. NW (westside of kitaskinaw school)

How to reach us:

Main office- (780) 470 6900

Youth Hub- (780) 470 6980

Email: mnnadmin@enochnation.ca

Hours of operation:

Mon-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Contact

Freida Peacock Director 780-990-8881 Show Email
Dana Sound Band Designate/Advocate Supervisor Show Email

Programs

The Peyakohewamak Family Well-Being Program

The Peyakohewamak Family Well-Being Program aims to protect the safety and well-being of Maskēkosihk families through voluntary prevention activities, support services and healing interventions, aligning with the context of Maskēkosihk Nehiyaw Nistohtamawin (Enoch Cree Way of Understanding). The program oversees the service delivery of all the supports offered to the children, youth, and the families of Maskēkosihk and report our activities on a monthly basis.

The Family Wellbeing Coordinators work with children, youth, parents and extended family of Maskēkosihk, establishing strong connection and relationships in a variety of settings. The Coordinators are responsible for creating a support network of wrap-around services according to a family’s identified needs. These needs are identified via assessment and goals that are created by the family in a specialized Service Plan.

We provide advocacy, emergency services, follow up supports, provide workshops appropriate for Family Preservation. Encourage culturally appropriate early intervention and prevention strategies including child development, health, nutrition, home safety, parent/child interaction, social, physical and intellectual development, coping strategies, pre-natal and post-natal, etc.

Contact

Reanne Arcand Supervisor 587-429-2965 Show Email

The Oskayak Kotawan Program (Youth Hub)

HUB is a safe, supportive drop-in home for our youth between the ages of 11-25. The HUB provides holistic supports, resources, programming, workshops, cultural supports, mentorship, elder mentorship, community connections and overall lifestyle support for our youth of maskêkosihk.

Contact

Lynda Gladue Youth HUB House Manager Show Email

The 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.