Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services (Business Registration Number: 830618088RR0001) is a Canadian Indigenous nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities. The agency serves as a multi-service Indigenous Child Well-Being Agency with a mandate to protect children and strengthen family and community relationships through culturally rooted and holistic approaches.

History and Designation

Mandated by its member First Nations for over two decades, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag developed a specialized service model to meet the needs of Indigenous populations within its jurisdiction. On February 28, 2019, the organization was officially designated by the Province of Ontario as a child welfare authority under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, granting it the responsibility to deliver child protection services for Indigenous communities[5].

Mission and Vision

The name Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag translates to “to look after and to always keep children at the centre of our thoughts,” a reflection of the agency’s commitment to child-centered care. The organization’s mission, Aangwaamwin, means to keep safe, take care of, protect, guide, nurture, and support children, youth, families, communities, and Nations. Its vision, Niigaangaganaabimin, or “looking ahead,” underscores a future-focused approach to sustaining strong Indigenous well-being through culturally respectful services[4].

Services and Programs

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag offers a range of wholistic and culturally grounded services aimed at supporting Indigenous children and families. These services honor the inherent authority of Indigenous Nations and families to provide care based on their customs, traditions, values, and beliefs. The agency works collaboratively with local Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) to ensure continuous care and protection, including an after-hours support system with supervisors available to uphold the best interests of Indigenous children and youth during evenings, weekends, and holidays[1][3][5].

Partnerships and Collaborative Work

The organization actively collaborates with five Children’s Aid Societies within its service area—Highland Shores, Kawartha Haliburton, Durham, York Region, and Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions—to facilitate the gradual transfer of child welfare files and services to ensure culturally appropriate care for Indigenous children and families[3][5].

Organizational Approach and Culture

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag embraces Indigenous culture, values, and practices as central to its work. The agency emphasizes knowledge of Indigenous traditions and a deep understanding of the First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities it serves. It fosters a healthy work-life balance for its staff and encourages organizational growth through a strategic plan focused on communication, goal alignment, progress tracking, and community feedback[2][4].

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services serves as a critical institution in Indigenous child welfare, providing culturally relevant and community-driven protection and support to Indigenous children and families in Ontario.

[1] https://www.binnoojiiyag.ca/aht-community-caregiver/ [2] https://www.binnoojiiyag.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/On-First-Nation-Worker.JP-21-03-2025.pdf [3] https://www.binnoojiiyag.ca/contact/after-hours/ [4] https://www.binnoojiiyag.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Strategic-Plan-2022-2027.pdf [5] https://www.khcas.on.ca/our-commitment-to-reconciliation/dnaagdawenmag-binnoojiiyag-child-and-family-services/