Our Services
Our Services
Supporting our children and families
Services that strengthen family relationships, support wellbeing and maintain connections to culture and community.
Chief Kinosêw Awasak Mîkiwâhp (CKAM) supports Driftpile Cree Nation children, youth and families through services grounded in our law, culture and community.
Our work is guided by Mihtatakaw Sîpiy Awasak Wiyasiwêwin — the Driftpile River Children’s Law. We focus on strengthening families, supporting wellbeing and helping children maintain connections to their language, identity and Nation.
Prevention programs are voluntary and confidential. Contact our team to discuss your family’s needs and the services available where you live.
Family Preservation
Building on your family’s strengths
Family Preservation helps families access practical support, strengthen parenting skills and maintain a safe, supportive home environment. The focus is on working with families early to address concerns and help prevent family separation.
Support includes:
Parenting workshops and guidance: Opportunities to build parenting knowledge and skills.
Traditional parenting practices: Learning that draws on cultural knowledge and family teachings.
Referrals: Connections to relevant health, education, social and community services.
Mentorship: Supportive connections that help families build on their strengths.
Family service planning: Working with families to identify needs, priorities and helpful supports.
Getting started: Contact CKAM and ask to speak with the Family Preservation team.
Family Preservation — Intensive Services
More focused support when your family needs it
Some families need additional support to address concerns affecting their children’s safety, wellbeing or daily care. Intensive Services offers more focused assistance, including support in the home.
Services include:
In-home support: Practical assistance with parenting, childcare and household needs.
Parent aides: Help developing parenting and homemaking skills.
Counselling: Support for challenges affecting family wellbeing.
Safety planning: Working with families to identify concerns and plan for children’s safety.
Emergency assistance: Help that may be available to address urgent needs and prevent family disruption.
The support provided depends on the family’s circumstances and the services available.
Getting started: Contact CKAM and ask about Family Preservation — Intensive Services.
Family and Community Supports
Connecting families with culture and practical resources
Family wellbeing is connected to the support available around us. Family and Community Supports helps people connect with cultural activities, Elders and resources that can assist with everyday needs.
Support includes:
Cultural events and activities: Opportunities to participate and maintain connections to culture and community.
Connections with Elders: Opportunities to learn from their knowledge and experience.
Housing resources: Help navigating relevant housing supports.
Income supports and benefits: Help identifying resources and understanding where to seek assistance.
Community connections: Links to other services that may support the family.
Getting started: Contact CKAM and ask for the Family and Community Supports team.
Customary Care and Caregiver Support
Keeping children connected to family and community
Customary Care is a voluntary caregiving arrangement made by agreement with a child’s parent or parents. It allows a child to be cared for by a family member or another agreed caregiver while maintaining connections to family, culture and community.
Families and caregivers can contact CKAM to discuss:
Customary Care arrangements and how they work.
Support that may be available to caregivers.
Maintaining the child’s family and cultural connections.
Information about related care options.
The team can also provide information about Care Home approval and customary adoption. These are separate processes with their own requirements.
Getting started: Contact CKAM and ask to speak with the Customary Care team.
Post-Majority Support
Preparing for independence while staying connected
Post-Majority Support helps eligible youth and young adults develop the skills, resources and connections needed for greater independence.
The program recognizes that practical support and connections to family, culture and community are important during this transition.
Supports may include:
Housing and rent assistance: Support related to securing or maintaining accommodation.
Financial planning: Help developing budgeting and money-management skills.
Education: Support connected to learning and future opportunities.
Wellness: Connections to mental health and wellbeing supports.
Life skills: Practical learning to support everyday independence.
Cultural engagement: Opportunities to remain connected to culture and community.
Eligibility and the assistance available depend on program requirements and individual circumstances.
Getting started: Contact CKAM and ask about Post-Majority Support.
First Nation Band Representative Services
Advocating for DCN children and families
Band Representative Services supports Driftpile Cree Nation’s involvement when its children and families are engaged with child welfare systems.
This work helps ensure that children’s interests and their connections to family, culture and community are considered in decisions affecting them.
The work includes:
Representing the interests of DCN children and families in child welfare matters.
Participating in relevant decisions and court proceedings.
Working with child welfare authorities and other professionals.
Bringing cultural knowledge and Elders’ guidance into the work.
Supporting continued connections between children, their families and their Nation.
Getting started: Contact CKAM if you need information about the Nation’s involvement in a child welfare matter, including one outside the community.
Additional Support
Programs and Cultural Activities
CKAM also coordinates programs and events that bring children, youth, parents, caregivers and Elders together.
These activities provide opportunities to learn, participate and strengthen connections to family and community. Visit our Events page for current programming in Driftpile and Edmonton.
Check each event notice for dates, location, age requirements and registration information.
Additional Support
Transportation and Access
If transportation is a barrier to participating in a CKAM program, ask our team whether transportation is available for that activity and location.
Contact reception or the event’s listed contact when registering to discuss your needs.
Additional Support
Concerned About a Child?
During the phase beginning October 9, 2026, CKAM receives reports and calls directly concerning the care and protection of registered DCN children living in Driftpile and Edmonton.
If you are concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing, believe a child may need protection, or need information about CKAM services, please call.
Weekdays — 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Main Office — Driftpile: (825) 233-0027
Sub-Office — Edmonton: (877) 571-9016
After hours and weekends — toll-free: 1-877-736-0801
Option 1: Driftpile and northern Alberta
Option 2: Edmonton and southern Alberta
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first, then contact CKAM.
For children outside this phase’s coverage, continue using the usual child-protection contact for their location. Use the telephone contacts for child-safety concerns.
Additional Support
Questions About a Decision?
Certain decisions made under the DCN Act can be reviewed through the independent Miyo-Wîcêhtowin Onâtamâkêw — Driftpile Cree Nation’s Appeal Tribunal.
Visit our Appeal Tribunal page to learn which decisions can be appealed, who can appeal and how to begin the process.
Additional Support
Let Us Help You Find the Right Support
You do not need to know which department to contact before reaching out. Call reception and explain what you need help with so our team can direct your enquiry.
Main Office Driftpile: (825) 233-0027
Sub-Office Edmonton: (877) 571-9016