AOPSI Redesign Steering Committee Announces Launch of Website
May 22, 2026. The AOPSI Redesign Website has officially launched, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative effort to redesign the Aboriginal Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) for Indigenous child and family services in British Columbia.
Our Children Our Way Society (OCOW) and the AOPSI Redesign Steering Committee announced the launch this week, highlighting the website as a central hub for information, engagement, and project updates.
Photograph L-R (AOPSI Redesign Steering Committee members in blue): Emily Baird, Adam Calvert, Bart Knudsgaard, Cindy Ghostkeeper, Shelley Latreille, (back) Jeremy Y’in Neduklhchulh Williams, (front) Crystal Lewis, (front) Joni Conlon, (back) Metaius Phillip, (front) tsiqw xwéxwne Red Hummingbird Judy Wilson, (back) Katrina Douglas, (front) Ky Scott, Ashley Johnston, Ashley Riihimaki, Mary Teegee-Gray
The website provides an overview of the project’s operational structure, including opportunities for advisory bodies and expert working groups to contribute to the redesign process. Visitors can also access a Knowledge Keeper’s Library and a timeline outlining the history of Indigenous Child and Family Services Standards in British Columbia. The Steering Committee will continue to share project updates and milestones via the website as the work progresses.
The goal of the AOPSI Redesign Steering Committee is to oversee the update the AOPSI in alignment with the direction of BC First Nations Chiefs, as expressed through resolutions at the First Nations Summit, BC Assembly of First Nations, and Union of BC Indian Chiefs. These resolutions direct First Nations Leadership Council to collaborate with the Our Children Our Way Society to find a path forward for updating and fully adopting AOPSI as the minimum standard of care for all First Nations, Inuit and Métis children in BC.
Since its establishment on January 20, 2026, the AOPSI Redesign Steering Committee, with support from staff at the Technical Collaboration Table, has made significant progress, including:
- Building relationships and sharing best hopes
- Developing and approving an Operational Structure
- Developing and approving a Terms of Reference
- Creating a Declaration of Commitment that will launch the work through a signing ceremony in the Fall of 2026
- Initiating and prioritizing components of a comprehensive Work Plan
- Inviting Indigenous Services Canada to be involved in an advisory role
- Hosting an AOPSI Education session, co-developed by Ministry of Child & Family Services (MCFD) and OCOW
The AOPSI was established in 1999 by the Directors of delegated agencies, and provincial and federal government partners. It was updated in 2005, and 2009, and has not been revisited since significant efforts to redesign in 2012 were unrealized.
The Our Children Our Way Society is honoured to be supporting the collective efforts of the AOPSI Redesign Steering Committee. The extensive expertise and wisdom of the steering committee members, including the voices of young leaders, matriarchs and knowledge keepers, community leaders and advocates, the Indigenous Child Welfare Director, and Indigenous Child and Family Services Directors, will continue to shape meaningful and lasting change for Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities across British Columbia.
Further updates on the AOPSI Redesign Project will be shared through the project website in the months ahead. Stay tuned!
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For comment, contact:
- Mary Teegee-Gray, Maaxswxw Gibuu, Chair, OCOW, Tel: 250-612-8710
- Joni Conlon, ED, OCOW, [email protected]
For further information about AOPSI, contact: