User:Fhusis/Weechi-it-te-win

Weechi-it-te-win Family Services is a family services agency focused on the needs of individual Anishinaabe families in ten communities in the southern part of Treaty 3 lands in Canada. It provides bicultural aboriginal and mainstream child protection and and prevention services based upon cultural competence. Weechi-te-win is a national child protection agency of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty No. 3.

Weechi-it-te-win bicultural practice is based upon both customary law of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty No. 3 and statutory law of the Province of Ontario.

Anishinaabe Customary Law
The main body of Anishinaabe law is comprised of sacred law and customary law. “Abinoojii naanigan” expresses a foundational legal principle in Anishinaabe law: that the total well being of a child is the central consideration in the care and protection of children. It means literally, “The child comes first and foremost” and admits neither exception nor excuse. This principle is consistent with but more forceful than the conventional child protection concept: "the best interests of the child". Even more forceful is a companion principle: "kizheowsowin", which invokes a fierce love for, and protection of, children best exemplified by a mother bear who will kill or die in the protection of her cubs.

Enforcement
Ontario laws are enforced by the Court of Ontario. The Anishinaabe people's maintenance of its customary law is considered to be an aboriginal right. Such rights are recognized and protected by the Canadian Constitution. Although infrequently relied upon in the past, aboriginal laws including customary law continue to be enforceable in Canadian courts.