Siksika Family Services
Our History
History of Siksika Family Services
1960-1970
Scotty Murray provides assistance and child protection under MOU with Alberta Government.
In 1966 Indian Affairs assisted Nation members upon release from institutions/hospitals. The Nation provided rations to other members in need.
In 1967 Siksika began administrating Federal services and programs for Nation members. Siksika created its own welfare system with Phil Many Guns as Director. Siksika paid all welfare costs without aid from Indian Affairs. Approximately 70% of Nation members accessed welfare during this time. In 1968 Henry Three Suns was hired as a social worker. In 1969 Initial plans and negotiations began with Indian Affairs for the establishment of a Day Care centre.
1970-1980
In September 1970 the first daycare was open with the enrollment of ten children.
A contribution agreement was arranged and funding was made available under the old preventative social services program. In 1972 negotiations began between Siksika Nation and both provincial and federal government regarding child welfare. In 1972 INAC developed its own Alberta Regional Policy manual and relief became known as social assistance. In 1973 Kenneth Rabbit Carrier became the director of social development. An agreement was also signed which was the first tripartite agreement in Canada was signed between Siksika Nation, the Alberta Government and the Federal Government. During this time Mike Curse was the director of child welfare and Henry Three Suns became the coordinator of social services.
1980-1990
Henry Three Suns became the Service Area Manager of Social Services. Social Assistance was now referred to as Social Development and Income Support. In 1983 Clement Bear Chief became the Director of Social Development. In 1985 Blackfoot Social Services was incorporated as a society and Clifford Many Heads became the Director for Child Welfare.
1990-2000
In 1992 Blackfoot Social Services was renamed as Siksika Family Services. Siksika Family Services was incorporated, and other social programs became a part of the corporation, including child welfare. In 1995 Siksika Nation became the first band to assert their right to deliver income support services to off-reserve members after signing the Siksika off-reserve agreement. The Calgary office officially opened in 1995 and operates according to provincial legislation and regulations. In 1996 Due to an ever-increasing population and a high demand for early childhood services, Siksika Nation began looking into a new Day Care facility to provide improved Day Care services on-reserve. In 1998 “Siksika Children’s Centre” was opened for service. The new day care facility is able to hold up to sixty children.
2000-2010
An off-reserve agreement was signed with the Alberta government. Siksika Nation was providing a full range of provincial child intervention services on and off-reserve. In 2001 Siksika Youth Independence began operation as a support program for social development, with services provide to address the high number of youths on social assistance. In 2004 Siksika Child Welfare was renamed as Siksika Children’s Services. Alberta introduced new social development legislation which incorporates employment related programming in its mandate. Within months, INAC followed suit by changing its policy manual to reflect the new Alberta legislation. In 2005 Ethel Running Rabbit was appointed Acting Director of Social Development and Merlin Breaker became acting service area manager after the sudden passing of Henry Three Suns. In 2006 Everett Jerry became the Service Area Manager/CEO of SFSC and the Family Enhancement Program was implemented in SFSC. Ethel Running Rabbit was officially hired as the Director of Social Development. In 2007-2008 Ethel Running Rabbit was officially hired as the Director of Social Development.$4.5 million was received from Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing plus $1.9 million from Siksika Nation Chief and Council for affordable housing units off-reserve within the Calgary district