Fall 2025 Update

The first half of 2025 has been busy for the Jurisdiction team. We held engagement sessions in January, May, and July. Our engagement sessions have included the Elders, persons with lived experience, youth, LDN staff and leadership, and the wider community.

Lhtako Dene Nation cares deeply about the children. Many people have added their thoughts and ideas to the collection of data. The data will inform the development of the Lhtako Child and Family Services Law, the delivery and types of programs and services, and will ensure that we are building a better system of care for our children and families.

What we have learned so far....

Lhtako values acceptance, accountability, the power of choice, connection, integrity, kindness, support, respect, and trust.

We have developed a vision to help guide our work.

We envision a future where our children thrive in the heart of a strong, unified community — free from oppressive systems like MCFD that have failed to serve and uplift us. Rooted in our traditions and guided by the wisdom of our Elders, we come together as one, to restore balance, healing, and harmony through our Natural Law.

Our children are the carriers of our knowledge, the voices of generations past and future, and the pride of Lhtako Dene. We honour them by reclaiming our relationships, healing from trauma, and teaching through strength, accountability, kindness, and respect.

We commit to building a system grounded in integrity, trust, and connection — where every choice is made in the spirit of love and responsibility. Together, we walk the path of healing, restoring what was taken, and creating a future shaped by our values and our voice.

A service delivery model is the foundational framework that dictates how a Lhtako staff provide services to children, youth, and families

The model aims to optimize service delivery by integrating social work practices, daily operations, and clear processes, procedures, and policies.

It establishes consistency, instills confidence, and identifies areas for development or improvement. It provides tools, assessments, and guidance while remaining flexible and adaptable.

In essence, a service delivery model guides how the Nation will deliver services to families highlighting the values are important to maintain within the framework.

Our program and services must be:

• culturally grounded

• child and youth focused

• strength-based

• collaborative

• trauma-informed

• seek to address the ongoing impacts of the colonial systems

• able to create and sustain meaningful relationships

• able to create a new made in Lhtako model of care and wellness

• able to ensure that youth are supported to become the leaders of tomorrow

The path to jurisdiction will take some time. We want to make sure that we do things in good way. The next community visit will be in September or October 2025.