Director of Child, Youth & Family Services

Director of Child, Youth & Family Services

SCO is a growing and dynamic regional First Nation organization that represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 92,000 citizens in what is now southern Manitoba. Established in 1999 by the Chiefs, SCO is mandated as an independent organization to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nation peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty‑making process.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations, the Director of Child, Youth and Family Services is a senior leader within the Southern Chiefs’ Organization responsible for advancing initiatives that support the wellbeing, safety and long‑term success of First Nations children, youth, and families. This role provides leadership across programs and initiatives that address child welfare reform, youth development, family violence prevention, healing from historical harms, and equitable access to services for First Nations children.

In addition to overseeing program delivery, the Director brings a long‑term systems change perspective to the department’s work. The position supports the development of culturally grounded policies, governance approaches, and service models that contribute to structural improvements in the systems that impact First Nations children and families.

Working closely with Anishinaabe and Dakota Knowledge Keepers, member Nations, southern First Nations Child and Family Services agencies, and government partners, the Director helps advance approaches that strengthen First Nations jurisdiction, promote prevention and family wellbeing, and support long‑term transformation of child and family services systems.

• Provide strategic leadership for the Child, Youth and Family Services department with a focus on advancing long‑term improvements to systems impacting First Nations children, youth, and families.
• Identify structural barriers within child welfare, health, education, and social systems that affect First Nations children and families, and support initiatives aimed at addressing those barriers.
• Contribute to the development of culturally grounded policy frameworks, governance models, and service approaches that strengthen First Nations leadership and decision‑making in child and family wellbeing.
• Support SCO leadership in advancing long‑term priorities related to prevention, family wellbeing, youth empowerment, and healing from historical harms.

• Work closely with Anishinaabe and Dakota Knowledge Keepers, community members, leadership, and southern First Nations Child and Family Services agencies in the development and drafting of Anishinaabe and Dakota Nation family law approaches.
• Lead research, engagement, and analysis related to the development of culturally grounded family law frameworks and child welfare models.
• Monitor and analyze federal and provincial legislation, policies, and programs affecting First Nations children and families.
• Provide policy analysis and strategic advice to SCO leadership regarding child welfare reform and long‑term systems transformation.

• Provide leadership and oversight for departmental programs including:
  • Child Welfare initiatives
  • Jordan’s Principle program
  • Youth programs
  • Waakaabit and Woksape initiatives
  • Family Violence Prevention programs
  • Childhood Claims supports
  • Residential School Research Project
• Ensure programs operate effectively while also contributing knowledge, evidence, and experience to broader policy and systems change initiatives.

• Facilitate engagement sessions with member Nations, community members, and service providers to inform program and policy development.
• Support Nation‑led priorities related to family wellbeing, youth supports, and prevention initiatives.
• Ensure programs reflect cultural knowledge, community priorities, and the voices of children, youth, and families.

• Maintain strong relationships with federal and provincial…