Kʷu Stəmtímaʔ

2017

Three year Protocol Agreement Signed between Upper Nicola Band and Scw’exmx Child and Family Services (SCFSS).

The first Grandmothers Group (now the kwu stəmtímaʔ) meeting was held. Since then, the stəmtímaʔ have been moving forward with initiatives, training, and collaboration to provide opportunities to support the well-being of our Relations. The priority is the safety, well-being, and identiy of children and families.

Chief and Council by BCR direct the Upper Nicola Grandmother’s Group, including the Health Director and the Upper Nicola Child and Family Preservation Worker, to represent them on all matters relating to Children, Youth and Families; and, directs the Scw’exmx Child and Family Services Society and the Upper Nicola Grandmothers Group to work collaboratively to support the best possible outcomes for children and youth and to preserve the family unit.

First employee hired as the Family Preservation Worker.

The Grandmothers that have received SCFSS mandatory training on the file review protocols, roles and responsibilities for the for the Children in Care (CIC) agree to meet as determined. SCFSS to provide updates and GG to provide recommendations i.e. school tutor, connection with biological family, assessments.

2019

Chief and Council signed a BCR to support SCFSS to acquire Adoption Delegation and for SCFSS and the Grandmothers Group to work together to develop an adoption program that is respectfuil to UNB’s Traditional Laws and Practices.

Contract with the Institute of Public Administrators (IPAC) to assist with the UNB Adoption Law.

With the support of the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) the Grandmothers created their first Workplan.

2020

First Chairperson and Vice Chair of the kwu stəmtímaʔ appointed.

Participated with the Self Inherent Rights Workshop facilitated by the Centre for First Nations Governance. Training was on-going fron 2020 to 2023.

MOU with KAIROS to modify the Blanket Exercise to repesent Upper Nicola people, land, and history. The Our Relations Blanket Exercise (ORBE) will be presented to rights holders (community members), UNB staff, and UNB partner organizations (i.e. RCMP, school district) to gain an understanding of our historical timeline and impact.

kwu stəmtímaʔ updated their Declaration, which included a name change from Upper Nicola Grandmother’s Group to kwu stəmtímaʔ

kwu stəmtímaʔ updated their Declaration, which included a name change from Upper Nicola Grandmother’s Group to kwu stəmtímaʔ

2021

Chief and Council signed a BCR to support the kwu stəmtímaʔ, UNB’s Health Director and the Child and Family Preservation Worker to represent Chief and Council through the captikwł Ethic Agreement between UNB and SCFSS that relates to all matters regarding UNB Family Relationships.

Three year Protocol Agreement, called captikwł Ethic Agreement, signed between Upper Nicola Band andScw̓exmx Child and Family Services (SCFSS). This agreement embraces core Upper Nicola syilx values, including the best interests of the child, services to all members regardless of residency, and respect to syilx culture, customs, and traditions. In addition, a captikwł Cultural Plan is to be developed.

Strategic Plan with the support of IPAC volunteer.

2022

̓”Canada started implementing a series of immediate measures that would begin the process of reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services Program (FNCFS). One of these measures is a per capita allocation of funding for prevention services” ($2,500 per registered First Nation person resident on reserve). https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1710354957413/1710354990384

Currently, the kwu stəmtímaʔ receive the per capita allocation of funding for on
reserve support the programs and services, including human resources and 13
Moon Activities.

2023

Staff and stəmtímaʔ begin the Indigenous Focused Oriented Therapy Training (IFOT).

Terms of Reference updated.

2024

Chief and Council signed a BCR to appoint the kwu stəmtímaʔ Chair, the Director of Our Relations, and one UNB Councillor to represent Upper Nicola Band on the ONA Wellness Committee. In addition, the UNB Health Director, will continue to represent UNB on the ONA Wellness Committee.

Contracts with MNP and Miller Titerle to assist with the Upper Nicola syilx Law for Our Relations to assert full jurusdiction.

2025

Chief and Council signed a BCR to support the application to request $300,000 from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to access 2025-2026 Capacity-Building Funding.

For year captikwł Ethic Agreement signed between Upper Nicola Band and SCFSS. Again, this agreement embraces core Upper Nicola syilx values, including the best interests of the child, services to all members regardless of residency, and respect to syilx culture, customs, and traditions. In addition to the Agreement, a captikwł Practice Guide is to be developed.

Five Year Strategic Planning Session (2025-2030) facilitated by MNP.