Simpcw First Nation, province agree on family supports for away-from-home members

CHU CHUA, B.C. — Simpcw First Nation has announced a historic partnership with the province that will see the First Nation offer expanded supports to members who live away from the community.

Based out of offices in Prince George and New Westminster, Simpcw outreach workers, rather than the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), will help non-resident members with services for Simpcw children and families. Those supports will include an emphasis on family support, cultural connections and wellness activities.

The arrangement builds on the Tcwesétmentem agreement signed by the province and First Nation in April 2022.

“Today is a very proud day for Simpcw as we are now able to fulfil a commitment our council made to our members at jurisdiction development engagements over the past two years,” said Kúkpi7 George Lampreau. “Our away-from-home members asked for the same family support and cultural services that our members living in our Simpcw communities receive and I’m very happy that this agreement now enables us to fulfil those responsibilities to benefit our families in Prince George and the Lower Mainland.”