Ribbon cutting at new SFCS building (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

GRAND OPENING

Secwépemc Child and Family Services unveil new building, reflect on proposed legislative change

Oct 27, 2022 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Secwépemc Child and Family Services (SCFS) opened its new home Thursday afternoon (Oct. 27). The two-story modular building will allow the service to bring workers from four separate offices together under one roof to continue helping the seven First Nations communities they serve.

“For our communities to be able to represent themselves and provide an all inclusive service delivery line to all of their children and families, to bring us together in service to the communities is so incredibly important for all of us,” said SCFS Executive Director Yvonne Hare.

“The services that Secwépemc Child and Family Services provide for our children and our families. They also do an amazing job when it comes to workplace diversity and inclusion of the cultural values,” added Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir.

Earlier this week, the B.C. government announced it will be changing provincial legislation to remove barriers for Indigenous peoples exercising jurisdiction over child and family services. Both Casimir and Hare agreed it’s a good first step.

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“It’s very, very important for B.C. to come on board. I know sitting on the executive for the Indigenous Child and Family Service Director Forum, we applaud the provincial government for the work they have done to move that forward,” said Hare.

“Most importantly it is about being able to ensure that families are supported and that child apprehension is not the answer,” said Casimir.

Being able to provide care to their own children is crucial, and the new SCFS site will allow cultural teachings to be passed down.

“We will have elders in residence, our elder advisors will be here, they have their own space. We have cultural space, over a quarter of this building is set aside for cultural education and teachings,” said Hare.