Practice Area

Indigenous Child Protection & Family Legal Services

We assist Indigenous governments to develop and implement their own laws and governance regarding child protection and safety.

Photo credit: Doane Gregory

Indigenous Child & Family Jurisdiction

We work to achieve recognition and implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to care for their children and families according to their own laws, teachings, and practices.

Protection for Indigenous Children

We assist Indigenous parents, extended family members, and communities with respect to the return of their children to their care.

Child Protection Family - Indigenous Teepee on grass and cloudy skies
Photo credit: Peter Millerd

Our work includes:

Representing

Representing Indigenous governments (including independent Indigenous child protection agencies) and entities in matters involving the Ministry of Children and Family Development, including in mediations, alternative dispute resolution processes and in court. We also represent Indigenous parents and family members in contact with the Ministry of Children and Family Development in relation to child protection concerns, as well as provide family law advice and representation on the Bella Bella and Bella Coola circuit courts.

Advising

Providing legal advice to Indigenous governments who are taking up their jurisdiction and passing laws with respect to child protection, wellness and safety, including the negotiation of agreements, the development of laws and policies and implementation of those laws and policies.

Developing

Assisting Indigenous governments to draw on their laws, teachings, practices and customs in the development of their own child protection, wellness and safety laws and policies.

Facilitating

Facilitating collaborative processes between Indigenous governments and families to reach agreements about the care of their children.

Our Indigenous Child Protection & Family Team

Our team has experience working with Indigenous communities in matters involving the Ministry of Children and Family Development as well as other aspects of child protection and family services. Click on a photo of a team member to read their full bio and see their contact information.

What Our Clients Say

Mandell Pinder LLP is really looking after our best interests; it’s one thing I really noticed. Their sole interest was for the betterment of the Xatśūll First Nation and we’re proud to be associated with Mandell Pinder LLP.

– Councillor Pat Sellars, Xatśūll First Nation

Photo credit: Doane Gregory