who we are

the scw'exmx are the people of the creeks

In 1993, the five bands from the Nicola Valley came together
and made a pivotal decision to end colonial control over their children and confront the lasting effects of colonial harm:

nc̓ə́ɬetkʷu (Coldwater Indian Band)
sulu̓ s (Lower Nicola Indian Band)
nwéyc (Nooaitch Indian Band)
sxéxn̓ x (Shackan Indian Band)
sp’ax̌ʔmi̓n and nɬq’aɬməlʔx (Upper Nicola Band)

Scw'exmx Child & Family Services is centered around family, and we work together to exercise nłeʔkepmx and syilx inherent rights to empower children, young people, and families.

We acknowledge the historical challenges faced by our communities and are guided by traditional strength and wisdom as we strive to build family and community capacity. Through a combination of prevention and protection strategies, we are committed to building strong children and families, ensuring that young people remain with their families and stay connected to their communities.

We build strong children and families.

call to action

we are at a critical moment in time

A great deal of change is taking place within the current political climate in which we exist. Bold steps are required to actualize the change necessary for the communities we represent. For the first time since colonization our actions will fundamentally alter the foundation upon which outside governments have imposed political interests of assimilation through the systemic removal of our children.

For generations, our children have been the ones on the front lines of federally and provincially legislated cultural genocide regimes. Our families and communities were fractured but never broken. To achieve healing, justice and hope for each child ever removed from their parents, families and communities, it is up to us to provide a new reality for the generations to come.

Through the wisdom of our ancestors, we have been taught the ways to care for one another. We must work toward a future markedly different from the current state, where there are more Indigenous children in care now than at the height of the residential school era. While the current system is derived from legislation and policy, not of the Indigenous origin at a community level or otherwise, we undertake the process of decolonization to bring traditional knowledge, guidance and practices of the nłeʔkepmx and syilx people forward in collaboration and guidance of our communities.

It is our responsibility to create the necessary change to ensure children currently in care have the advocates they deserve, and seven generations from now, the need for a child welfare system will no longer exist as our families will be whole and healthy. nłeʔkepmx and syilx ancestors have anticipated this change and passed on their wisdom as we respond to this call to action. This very legacy is now ours to nurture and protect as we build a new platform where today’s children, young people, families and communities will remain together and rekindle their cultural ways of being.

our values
7 guiding principles

We are all somebody's 7th generation. We imagine a world where seven generations from now, a child welfare system is no longer needed as our families will be whole and healthy.

Love

We support families in wellness by loving and nurturing our children and recognizing their importance in all that we do.

Accountability

We are honest and ethical in all our interactions and we practice integrity being consistent, accountable, and transparent.

Respect

We role-model respect, encouraging participation, honoring each person's strengths, and actively engaging in solution-oriented dialogue.

Culture & Language

We practice our cultural teachings, understanding that a strong sense of identity and belonging contributes to healthy quality of life.

Responsibility

We consider the impacts of our work on current and future generations, and focus on doing the right things for the right reasons.

Holistic

We utilize a community-driven and strength-based approach, building upon what is working with our families, organization, and communities.

Advocacy

We advocate for community rights and responsibilities with culturally grounded prevention supports.

about our logo
divine creation

Significant in both nłeʔkepmx and syilx culture, the basket weaves represent divine creation.

strategic directions

Our four Strategic Directions reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Create a culture of caring in collaboration with Elders and Community Leaders to return authority to community.
Move from protection to prevention in mindset, reputation and services.
Support the wellness and growth of our community members.
Establish organizational alignment and stability to support our five guiding communities.

see our strategic directions

our history

Scw’exmx Child and Family Services Society

In 1993, the Nicola Valley Tribal Council (now the Scw’exmx Tribal Council) took action to assert its inherent right to exercise control over all matters concerning the welfare of children and families in their communities. Concerned by the growing number of children being apprehended from their communities, the Council established the Scw’exmx Child and Family Services Society in 1994 to oversee the delivery of child welfare services to the five member bands living on reserve.

Today, we are a fully delegated Society, providing programs and services to the Nicola Valley. Our support extends to both on- and off-reserve members of our communities, as well as to urban Indigenous people.