About Kina Gbezhgomi

Translated in the English Language, it means: “All of us, We are one”

We appreciate that there may be varied interpretations within the Anishinaabe Language. For our intention we recognize the meaning as, “We stand as individuals, each with our own uniqueness, as we all stand together as one”.
 
We thank the Kina Gbezhgomi Elders Advisory Group, Francis Kaboni and Phyllis Williams for their assistance in interpretations. The four directions have many different representations in the Native Culture; for the purposes of the “Kina Gbezhgomi Logo” these four directions represent the qualities that families should strive for such as: Love, Unity, Safety and Security.
 
It was stated that it is the medicine wheel is about, about life. We start from the middle, there are 4 directions, place the child in the middle and as you grow up there are 4 stages of life.
 
For children and families to remain strong and connected there must be love and a sense of unity between family members. A good family home should provide a safe and secure environment for all family members and children who live there to foster growth and strong family connections.
 
In the logo the child is surrounded and protected by family members. In the logo the child is the focus and nurtured by the family. The family is connected by the circle of life.

"I am proud to be a part of this organization in a small way through the logo I created years ago and want to say Meegwetch for the recognition now and then and to keep up the good work......." - Warren Lewis

“The Anishinaabe child is a gift from the Creator. The child represents all creation, its place is at the centre and must always remain our focus.” - Kina Gbezhgomi Elders Advisory Group

Our Services

The core objective of Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services is to serve the member communities through prevention and care in the facilitation to maintain and nourish the dignity and integrity of the Native family system; by offering supportive multiple choices to families in moving towards healthy family lifestyles for the native children and their family/community.
 
Services and programs are offered on a “voluntary” basis.
 
Kina Gbezhgomi’s focus is to support children and strengthen families and communities to prevent the need for child welfare interventions including the apprehension of our children.
 
Prevention and community development services are intended to create healthy caring and sharing families where family breakdown, child neglect and abuse would not flourish. Instead of human problems being addressed after they have become evident, community health and strengths are focused on beforehand.
 
Kina Gbezhgomi will focus on three main areas:

1. Intervention with families as specified in the plan of care process developed with the Children’s Aid Society;
2. Primary prevention programs to create healthy and safe environments for each child on the seven First Nations communities served, thereby lowering the risk of child welfare intervention;
3. Expansion of the foster care program in concert with the Children’s Aid Society in order to maximize utilization of these resources.

Kina Gbezhgomi delivers three (3) child and family based programs and services to its member First Nation communities. The programs are Child and Family Services; Foster Care Services; and, is accountable to the financial and service delivery objectives of the Community Support Program.
 
The purpose of Native Child Welfare Prevention Services are to provide a wide range of culturally appropriate healing services to remedy, prevent and arrest further social, emotional or behavioural difficulties experienced within the context families of the seven Member First Nation communities.
 
Prevention and community development services are intended to create healthy caring and sharing families where family breakdown, child neglect and abuse would not flourish. Instead of human problems being addressed after they have become evident, community health and strengths are focused on beforehand.
 
The agency will make every effort to ensure all services provided are respectful of the communities that we serve: respectful of the culture, language, beliefs, customs and practices of the Ojibway – Odawa – Pottawatomi peoples.
 

Membership

Membership in the corporation shall consist of two classes:

Member First Nation

The class of member First Nations shall be non-voting and shall be limited to those of the:

1. Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation;
2. M’Chigeeng First Nation;
3. Sheguiandah First Nation;
4. Sheshegwaning First Nation;
5. Whitefish River First Nation;
6. Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve; and,
7. Zhiibaahaasing First Nation.

Voting Members

The class of voting members shall be limited to two individuals, appointed by the Band Council of each member First Nation. Voting members shall be appointed for a two-year term. Voting membership shall commence upon receipt by the corporation of a Band Council Resolution confirming the appointment.