Qui nous sommes
Énoncé de mission
Offrir une éducation publique basée sur la réconciliation, l’orientation politique, la recherche, la défense des intérêts et le soutien pour promouvoir la sécurité et le bien-être des enfants, des jeunes, des familles, des communautés et des Nations des Premières Nations.
Énoncé de vision
Soutenir les enfants, les jeunes, les familles, les communautés et les Nations des Premières nations afin que les enfants des Premières Nations puissent grandir en sécurité avec leur famille, recevoir une bonne éducation, être en bonne santé et être fiers de ce qu'ils sont.
Valeurs de base
- L'amour, le courage, le respect, l'honnêteté, la transparence et l'intégrité dans notre travail et nos relations.
- Reconnaissant le caractère sacré des enfants et les droits des enfants, des jeunes et des familles autochtones conformément à la déclaration des Nations unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones et à la convention des Nations unies relative aux droits de l'enfant.
- Adopter des approches fondées sur des données probantes et mesurer les progrès accomplis par rapport aux résultats.
- L'égalité réelle entre les générations et le respect des cultures, des langues, des contextes et des aspirations des Premières Nations.
- Honorer les personnes et les organisations bienveillantes qui travaillent dans le respect des enfants, des jeunes, des familles, des communautés et des nations des Premières Nations.
- Veiller à ce que toutes les personnes, y compris les enfants, puissent participer de manière significative à la réconciliation.
- Être indépendant et non partisan.


Conseil d'administration
Raymond Shingoose, Président
Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services Inc., Saskatchewan
Kenn Richard, Vice-président
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Ontario
Judy Levi, Trésorière
Représentante du Nouveau-Brunswick
Elsie Flette, Membre du conseil
Représentante du Manitoba
Arlene Johnson, Membre du conseil
Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services, Nova Scotia
Koren Lightning, Membre du conseil
Kasohkowew Child Wellness Society, Alberta
Jessica Saunders, Membre du conseil
Représentante du Manitoba
Mary Teegee, Membre du conseil
Carrier Sekani Family Services, Colombie-Britannique
André Bear
Indigenous Nation Rebuilding, Ontario
Meet our Team
Staff Members

Brittany Mathews (she/her) is Michif and a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Her family more recently comes from St. Paul, Alberta with kinship relations from St. Francois Xavier in Manitoba. Brittany has been working in the areas of public education and policy in support of Indigenous children, young people and women's rights for eight years through both professional and community organizing paths. Brittany has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and a minor in Conflict Studies and Human Rights from the University of Ottawa.
She is honoured to have worked alongside First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth to research and write reports on ethical accountability mechanisms and ethical research requirements when organizations and individuals conduct research with Indigenous youth. In addition, Brittany is dedicated to elevating the collective vitality of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit through community organizing and creative outlets.
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A member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Cindy is honoured to serve as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience working in child welfare and Indigenous children’s rights and has published on topics relating to reconciliation, Indigenous theory, First Nations child welfare and human rights. A recipient of the SSHRC Gold Medal, Cindy was honoured to work with First Nations colleagues on a successful human rights challenge to Canada’s inequitable provision of child and family services and failure to implement Jordan’s Principle. This hard-fought litigation has resulted in hundreds of thousands of services being provided to First Nations children, youth, and families. Cindy is honoured to have been named as the recipient of the 2023 World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child, an award adjudicated by millions of children worldwide and referred to as "The Children’s Nobel Prize".
Cindy is frequently sighted in the company of the Caring Society’s reconciliation Ambearrister, Spirit Bear, engaging children in meaningful actions to implement the TRC Calls to Action.
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Daxton Rhead is of English, Irish, Scottish and German descent, born and raised on unceded Algonquin territory (Ottawa, Ontario). He first got involved in activism through learning about Shannen Koostachin and Shannen’s Dream in 2011. He was a winner of the P.H. Bryce Award for Children and Youth in 2014. Daxton is passionate about human rights and equity and credits the Caring Society for helping awaken that in him. Daxton is also a member of the trans community and a native plant enthusiast.
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Harmony Eshkawkogan (She/Her) is 29 years old and a part of the 3 Fires tribes (Midewiwin). She is a part of the Pike clan and grew up on an unceded reserve called Wiikwemikong on Manitoulin Island. She moved to Ottawa on unceded Algonquin Territory for high school in 2008. She’s passionate about advocating for clean water, mental health, and reconciliation by volunteering in the community. She was a Youth Water Leader with Ottawa Riverkeepers in 2020 and created a zine with other youth to showcase their art related to water. She was a part of the National Youth Advisory Committee for CAMH and helped designed mental health resources. She is a helper with Assembly of 7 Generations for 3 years has been supporting the grassroots organization with their garden and webinars. She graduated from a 1year certificate program at Willis College for Indigenous Community Service Worker in 2021. She is thrilled to be a part of the Caring Society and help advocate for First Nations children and families.
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Jennifer King (she/her) is Anishinaabe of mixed descent with family ties to the Wasauksing First Nation. She has been working in areas of research, policy and public engagement in support of Indigenous women and children for over 15 years. Jennifer has a Master’s degree in social work, with a focus on Indigenous methodologies and Indigenous perspectives on policy and practice. She is passionate about the role of critical education and research in promoting justice, equity and meaningful reconciliation in Canada. An experienced presenter and facilitator, Jennifer has authored/co-authored several publications on Indigenous issues and has also worked as a sessional instructor in the School of Social Work, University of Victoria.
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Jessica Raby (she/her/Jess), was born and raised on the traditional territory of neutral Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples (Brantford, Ontario). She did her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Human Rights and Law at Carleton University on unceded Algonquin lands (Ottawa, Ontario). She then went abroad to the UK to complete her Masters of Law in International Human Rights Law at the University of Sussex. A lover of travel, she loves to experience new cultures, people, and customs. These experiences have solidified her dedication to provide support to all communities and help to amplify the voices of others. She is passionate about research and education and is committed to continued learning and becoming an active participant in actionable and long-term change. She is honoured to be a member of the Caring Society and help to work on educational initiatives and public policy campaigns that support and uplift communities nationwide.
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(they/them, she/her) - Born and raised in Tkaronto (Toronto), on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, Melisa Brittain is of Irish, English, and French descent. Since 1999, Melisa has lived and worked on Treaty Six territory in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta), and has worked with the Caring Society to promote equity and well-being for First Nations children and youth through a partnership with the University of Alberta since 2012 (see FNCARES). As a scholar, filmmaker, and educator, Melisa brings a commitment to learning and raising awareness about ongoing discrimination and colonialism in Canada, and to working towards ending inequities and advancing social justice.
', committee: '' })"> View BioStephanie is Manitoba Metis from Treaty One Territory, currently residing on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory. Stephanie has been working in Indigenous health and social policy for nine years, advocating for the advancement and promotion of Indigenous led and determined approaches and priorities to health and social services, including: First Nations Child and Family Services, Jordan’s Principle, First Nations Income Assistance, Poverty Reduction, Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare, Mental Wellness and Life Promotion, focusing on the intersectionality of social determinants and socioeconomic realities of Indigenous children and families.
Stephanie holds a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa, focused on the over-incarceration of Indigenous people and the systemic barriers in the criminal justice system. She is passionate about criminal justice reform through decolonizing institutions and how ongoing oppressive and assimilationist agendas continue to affect how so-called "justice" is administered. Stephanie worked with a number of leading researchers and co-edited the book, Justice, Indigenous Peoples, and Canada: A History of Courage and Resilience, a broad overview of criminal justice issues that Indigenous people in Canada have faced historically and continue to face today.
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Sunny Mathews is originally from Tonkawa and Coahuiltecan land (San Antonio, Texas) and moved all the way to unceded Algonquin territory (Ottawa, Ontario) when she adopted her new family. She has a BarkA in more-than-human rights and is passionate about the role that critters and humans can play in reconciliation. Sunny is a much-loved office dog who takes her role of bringing sunshine and friendship to her colleagues and bear friends very seriously. She loves turkey treats, cheese, puppuccinos, and most all, belly rubs!
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Born and raised in south-eastern Ontario on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Tammy is a recent graduate of Yorkville University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting. She is currently enrolled at Canadian Payroll Association seeking her Payroll Compliance Practitioner certification. She is devoted to honouring the legacies of Native and Black resistance to colonization and white supremacy and actively examining how disparities and injustices uniquely affect Native and Black communities. Tammy has been with the Caring Society since 2006.
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