Indigenous Governance in Child and Family Wellbeing Agencies

Established in 1986, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is a multi-service urban Aboriginal agency providing holistic, culture-based programs and services for Indigenous children and families. NCFST has now arrived at the stage where we must better reflect the holistic Indigenous worldview so that we better reflect what we are supposed to be: an Indigenous agency. Aligning agency governance with traditional forms of governance should then lead to decisions that
are more consistent with cultural values and expectations.
Over the Winter of 2022/2023, NCFST’s Board of Directors decided to transition from a mainstream hierarchical leadership structure towards an Indigenous governance model grounded in consensus-based decision-making. To help make this
change, this project will involve conducting interviews and focus groups with other key urban Indigenous leaders in Toronto, to learn about governance practices. Knowledge gained will help NCFST with the desired transition, all for the benefit of the
community served.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Newhouse;Kevin Fitzmaurice

Student:

Partner:

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Trent University

Program: