Indigenous Child Welfare Director

In collaboration with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, B.C. is introducing an Indigenous Child Welfare Director (ICWD) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The ICWD is being introduced in response to calls from Indigenous Peoples and will:

• Provide practice oversight and support for services delivered under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) to Indigenous children and youth
• Work to ensure provincial services operate seamlessly alongside Indigenous laws to uphold Indigenous jurisdiction.

Hiring 

The job posting for the ICWD was open for applications between May 2 and May 30, 2024. The hiring process is now complete and B.C.’s first Indigenous Child Welfare Director is selected. It is anticipated they will begin their role in early Fall 2024.

Indigenous Child Welfare Development Process

Throughout spring and summer 2023, MCFD engaged with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people and organizations on their priorities for the ICWD. In early 2024, MCFD engaged further on a proposed approach and job profile for the ICWD. We are grateful to partners for sharing their time, energy, and feedback in shaping this new position.

Feedback from these two engagements is outlined in the:

• ICWD Engagement Summary 2023 (PDF, 309KB)
• ICWD Spring 2024 Engagement Summary (PDF, 237KB)

In March 2024, MCFD brought the ICWD into force in law in anticipation of posting and beginning hiring for the position in spring 2024. The ICWD role was introduced to the Child, Family and Community Service Act in November 2022 through Bill 38, the Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Service Amendment Act.