Six Nations child welfare agency Ogwadeni:deo, Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region honoured with Social Innovation Award

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Every year, Capacity Canada selects a non-profit organization as the recipient of its prestigious Social Innovation Award. This award celebrates risk-taking, innovation, creativity and boldness in improving the lives of Canadians. This year, however, was different.

Capacity Canada recognized not one but two well-deserving non-profit organizations! The Social Innovation Award was presented to Family & Children’s Services of Waterloo Region and the Six Nations Child Well-being Agency, Ogwadeni:deo. Executive Director Karen Spencer and Vice-Chair Kelly Laurila from Family & Children’s Services Waterloo Region accepted the award on behalf of both organizations. It was presented at the opening night of the Board Governance BootCamp, sponsored by Manulife, on December 7.

“These two organizations embarked on a courageous journey together to become a model for communities across Canada. Their work has huge potential for large-scale impact on the lives of Indigenous children and families,” stated Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada.

The Social Innovation Award is a unique opportunity to recognize the leadership of individuals or organizations bringing about social innovation and meaningful social change.

Through a shared commitment to addressing inequities forced on Indigenous children and families, the two non-profit organizations are undertaking a new approach to meet the needs of Indigenous children and families.

This award recognizes the depth of work and commitment to change that both organizations have put into their agreement to transfer the jurisdiction of Indigenous Services from Family and Children’s Services Waterloo Region to Ogwadeni:deo, the Six Nations Child Well-being Agency.

Ogwadeni:deo is a child welfare agency ensuring the protection of Ogweho:weh children on the Six Nations Territory, in the City of Brantford and Brant County, while incorporating Haudenosaunee culture when working with families. Family & Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region is authorized under the Children, Youth and Family Services Act to respond to concerns about children in the Region.