According to Honouring our Children, Families, and Nation Act, subsection 18 (2):

18.2   The First Nation will assume jurisdiction of intake services, child abuse investigations, after hours services and early intervention services for Members who reside off and on reserve within Manitoba. The provision of these services shall become the responsibility of the Agency. Any Indigenous Agency and Non-Indigenous Agency who receives an intake involving any Child, Youth or Family shall forthwith inform the Agency so that the Agency can begin to provide required services to the Child, Youth or Family as the case may be.

• Provide intake and emergency services for 24 hours each day 
• Respond to all referrals or requests for services on a timely basis 
• Determine whether a child is or might be in need of protection and, if so, take appropriate action to ensure the protection of the child
• Investigate reports that a child is or might be in need of protection, including investigating allegations of abuse of a child 
• Apprehend a child in need of protection and take the child to, or leave the child in, a place of safety
• Provide crisis stabilization services to ensure the safety and well-being of a child
• Determine if child and family services are required on an ongoing basis and if ongoing services are required, transfer the files for service to an appropriate CFS Authority. 
• Intake is the first point of contact on all referrals, including new and existing cases. At this preliminary stage of contact with child and his or her family the agency conducts an assessment and determines what if any further services or interventions are required.
• Provincial Child and Family Services standards pertaining to Intake Services require that all referrals be responded to in an immediate manner if a child is considered to be at risk. A function related to completing intakes includes assessment of the risk to children and to development of a plan that will ensure the continued safety of children.

After Hours Program

All services delivered by Peguis Child and Family Services (the “Agency”) After Hours Program (“AHP”) will be provided in accordance with Honouring our Children, Families and Nation Act (the “Act”).

The Agency has a statutory responsibility to provide intake and emergency services pursuant to the Act and must provide those services in accordance with policies established by the Agency and Peguis First Nation. The AHP assesses all allegations and concerns involving Members regardless of where the Member resides. The AHP operates outside of regular business hours as well as statutory holidays. The AHP responds to emergencies on all after hours Child Family Services referrals received, screening referrals to ensure validity and appropriate response times, and to ensure assessment and/or investigation occurs if required. 

Hours of Operation

The AHP provides emergency response to referrals received:

  Monday – Friday                                                   

  5 p.m. – 9 a.m.

  Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)                   5 p.m. Friday – 9 a.m. Monday 

Statutory holidays

Any holiday where the office is closed during regular business hours

After Hours Program Office Locations

The AHP has two office locations:

Main office – Peguis First Nation                                   Peguis, MB

Outreach office – Unit 1-1349 Border Street          Winnipeg, MB 

Designated Service Area to Members

The AHP will provide services to Members wherever they reside in Manitoba. 

Courage – carried by the Bear

We are told in the winter time the Bear is hibernating, but the truth is that the bear is fasting and that is because of him that the Red people did not lose their way of life. The Red man evolved from the bear, the Bear is our brother and when we want to know who we really are we should call on him. It takes courage in this day and age to live as the Red man. But the Bear tells us to be strong and proud to be who the Creator made us. To face life with integrity and bravery is to know courage. Bear teaches us to overcome challenges and fears that prevent us from what’s in our heart and spirit. Bear shows us to live a balanced life and to stand up for what we believe in and have the courage to be yourself.

We feed him in the fall before he begins his fast and again in the spring when he awakes, fish berries and honey. The Bear carries the medicine Bear root.