Gitxsan Child & Family Services

History

GCFSS opened its doors in June 2000 after being founded in the previous year. During the first two years of operations, GCFSS operated as a bare bones organization with a skeleton staff. We grew steadily, operating under guidelines and protocols of the provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development, the agency responsible for child welfare at that time.

In 2005, we embarked on a new direction. We hired the first Gitxsan social worker and began to pursue and find Gitxsan foster homes, and we began to bring children back home to the community. These were the first steps in a significant shift toward regaining control over the welfare of Gitxsan children.

GCFSS encountered its biggest change in 2007. In that year, an agreement between GCFSS, the Ministry and the federal government transferred responsibility of guardianship services of Gitxsan children from the Ministry to GCFSS. This historic event marked the first time the provincial and federal governments had agreed in writing that a First Nation family services agency could operate in a traditional ‘way’.

Mission

To provide culturally-sensitive support, prevention and protection services to Gitxsan children and their families by attaining the necessary level of knowledge, capacity and delegation to ensure success.

Principles

  • Gitxsan children are precious and deserve to be protected; they are the future of the Gitxsan Nation
  • The Gitxsan ayookw carries timeless values and wisdom, which will guide service delivery and program development
  • The Gitxsan family provides natural protection for children
  • We will respect ourselves, each other and all that walk through our doors
  • We will work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team
  • We will embrace equality recognizing that together we are stronger
  • We will be accountable for our actions
  • We will work in an environment that benefits from the positive energy created by humour
  • We will operate with a high level of commitment

Vision

By embracing and strengthening our Gitxsan Ayookw, we will ensure the health, safety and well-being of our majagalee (children) and Wil naa tahl (our families).