Ottawa gives Manitoba chiefs money to study reforming child welfare system

WINNIPEG — Canada’s indigenous affairs minister says child welfare needs to be reformed to better serve First Nations.

Carolyn Bennett is in Winnipeg to announce funding for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to study how Child and Family Services can be overhauled.

RELATED: Manitoba’s child-welfare system fails high-needs kids, advocate says

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Bennett says the $550,000 will help First Nations consult with elders, social workers and youth to figure out how to better address their needs.

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak says putting more money into child welfare doesn’t make sense until the system stops rewarding the apprehension of kids.

He says agencies should focus more on supporting families and keeping them together.

READ MORE: Manitoba Child and Family Services seizes one newborn a day: watchdog

Manitoba has more than 10,000 children in care and apprehends an average of one newborn baby a day.