Northern Authority's 22nd AGM Reflects on Accountability, Responsibility and the Path Forward

Held in Thompson, Manitoba the gathering brought together Elders, First Nations leadership, the Board of Directors, Northern Authority's seven member agencies, staff, partners and guests. But the day was about more than presenting reports or reviewing another year of work. It was an opportunity to reflect on a much larger journey: strengthening a child and family services system in which First Nations children remain connected to their families, communities, cultures and identities.

That purpose was present from the beginning.

The gathering opened with prayer and a powerful song from Elder Marie Ballantyne, followed by a moment of silence honouring former associate CEO Ian Ross and a drum song from Dyno Red Cree Hunt. Beginning the AGM in this way grounded the day in remembrance, culture and responsibility to the generations at the center of the work.

A Year That Demonstrated the Strength of Working Together

The 2025-2026 year tested Northern Authority, its agencies and communities in significant ways.

One of the greatest challenges came during the 2025 wildfire season. Evacuations placed extraordinary pressure on communities and service systems, requiring agencies, Northern Authority staff and partners to respond quickly and work together to support displaced children and families.

At the AGM, Board Chair Denise Packo reflected on the strength demonstrated during that period. Despite the challenges of the year, Northern Authority's seven member agencies and staff continued supporting families, strengthening services, building professional capacity, responding to changing needs and advocating for First Nations communities.

The response demonstrated something larger than emergency coordination: when relationships are strong, organizations and communities can come together when children and families need them most.

That spirit of collaboration became one of the success stories of the year.

Twenty Years of Progress and a Vision That Continues

The year also marked an important milestone: the 20th anniversary of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry-Child Welfare Initiative (AJI-CWI).

Two decades of change have helped move Manitoba's child and family services system toward greater First Nations leadership. At the AGM, the anniversary was recognized not simply as an achievement, but as part of a continuing journey toward First Nations-led services and decision-making.

CEO Ron Monias connected that journey to something Elders told him many years ago:
"We want to bring child welfare home."

It was a simple statement carrying a much larger vision, families caring for one another, communities caring for their children, and First Nations having a leading role in decisions affecting their own children and families.

Today, that vision is increasingly reflected in conversations about First Nations jurisdiction and Indigenous Governing Bodies.

For Northern Authority, supporting that transition means being prepared to evolve alongside the communities and agencies it serves.

Leadership as a Sacred Responsibility

Another message emerged throughout the gathering: meaningful change requires more than systems and policies. It requires leadership grounded in responsibility.

Monias reflected on lessons he had received from Elders and described leadership as being a servant leader. He spoke of the responsibility to keep children safe as a "sacred responsibility."

That understanding reaches beyond any single organization.

The wellbeing of children is connected to families, communities, leadership, agencies and the many partners who support them. Building better outcomes therefore depends on relationships and a willingness to work together.

That same message was reinforced by MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee, who spoke about children as sacred and emphasized the importance of First Nations reclaiming authority over decisions affecting their children.

His remarks highlighted the importance of keeping children connected to community, culture, identity and language and ensuring that First Nations ways of caring for children remain central to the future of child and family services.

Turning Commitment into Action

The success of the past year could also be seen in the work happening throughout Northern Authority.

Presentations from the Executive, Human Resources, Resource Development & Training, Northern Response & Support, Quality Assurance and Finance units demonstrated how different parts of the organization are contributing to a common goal.

The work included strengthening organizational capacity, supporting agencies, developing the workforce, improving accountability and quality assurance, responding to emergencies, addressing funding pressures, supporting jurisdictional transition and adapting to increasing service demands.

Associate CEO Angela Saunders described a year requiring leadership, adaptability and collaboration as Northern Authority responded to wildfires, funding challenges, legislative changes, jurisdictional transition and increasing demand for services. Through those pressures, the focus remained on supporting strong services and keeping First Nations children and families at the center of decision-making.

These efforts may happen in different units and through different programs, but together they demonstrate an organization working to strengthen the system around children and families.

Telling the Story Behind the Numbers

The AGM also marked the release of Northern Authority's 2025-2026 Annual Report, Supporting Strong Families, Honouring Our Children.

The report captures accomplishments, activities and measurable results from across Northern Authority and its member agencies. But its deeper purpose is to recognize the people represented behind those numbers.

As Board Chair Denise Packo reminded participants, the accomplishments and statistics shared throughout the AGM represent real children, families, communities and people.

That distinction matters.
Success is not simply the number of meetings held, reports completed or initiatives delivered. It is found in stronger relationships, better-supported agencies, greater accountability, increased capacity and the continued movement toward services that reflect the needs and priorities of First Nations communities.

Finding Our Way Back

Perhaps one of the strongest expressions of that vision came through the afternoon program.

The AGM included a presentation on Indigenous Governing Bodies and Northern Authority's Role and Position, followed by Finding Our Way Back, a documentary produced by Northern Authority Communications about the Old Post trip in Island Lake.

Together, these presentations connected two important ideas: where First Nations child and family services are going and what must remain at the center of that journey.

Finding our way back does not mean moving backward. It means recognizing the strength that has always existed in families and communities. It means strengthening connections to culture, identity, land and belonging. And it means carrying those foundations forward as First Nations continue reclaiming greater authority over the wellbeing of their children.