Guiding Indigenous Families Toward Healing, Safety and Resolution

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Giiwedin Anang (North Star) is an Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution(IFDR) program of Aboriginal Legal Services. Through the use of IFDR Talking Circles, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Aunties, Uncles and trained Indigenous facilitators, guide and support families, communities and child welfare partners to resolve conflict in culturally grounded ways.

OUR STORY

​Giiwedin Anang began with a vision.

In the early 1990s, several Indigenous Grandmothers who volunteered with the Aboriginal Legal Services Community Council recognized a need within their communities. They witnessed the growing overrepresentation of Indigenous children and families in the child welfare system and understood that many families were navigating conflicts with Children's Aid Societies without the support of their own communities, cultures, and traditions.

The Grandmothers envisioned a different path—one rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, community responsibility, and collective care. They believed that lasting solutions could only be found when families were supported by their own people: Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Aunties, Uncles, and respected community members who could offer guidance, wisdom, and hope. Their vision was not simply to resolve disputes, but to strengthen families, restore relationships, and create safer, healthier Indigenous communities for future generations.

At the heart of Indigenous teachings is the understanding that family relationships are sacred. They shape our identity, our sense of belonging, and our connection to community. Indigenous child-rearing has always extended beyond parents alone. Communities share responsibility for supporting children and families, particularly during times of challenge or hardship. Giiwedin Anang was built upon these teachings.
Today, Giiwedin Anang operates as a Community Council model of Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution. Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Aunties, Uncles, and trained community volunteers work alongside Aboriginal Legal Services Circle Facilitators throughout the dispute resolution process.

The Council does not make decisions for families or impose outcomes. Instead, Council members provide cultural guidance, lived experience, neutrality, and community wisdom to support respectful dialogue and help families and service providers work toward solutions that are safe, meaningful, and mutually agreed upon.

The program's name, Giiwedin Anang, meaning North Star, was gifted by Traditional Healer Jake Ago Neh. Throughout history, the North Star has served as a constant point of guidance for travellers navigating through darkness. The name reflects the purpose of the program: to provide a steady source of support and direction for Indigenous families as they navigate conflict, uncertainty, and difficult decisions.

Since 2008, Giiwedin Anang has provided Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution services to families throughout Toronto and surrounding communities. While the program has continued to evolve in response to the changing needs of Indigenous children, families, and communities, its purpose has remained the same—to help reduce conflict, strengthen relationships, restore community involvement, and contribute to a future where Indigenous children and families are no longer overrepresented within the child welfare system.
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Giiwedin Anang welcomes referrals from individuals, families, youth, professionals and community members who care about the well-being of Indigenous children and their families

​​Three areas of practice

​​Family Referrals

​Families with Indigenous Children who would like to participate in the Giiwedin Anang Council program for the purpose of creating a Parenting Plan can self-refer. A Parenting Plan is a document that contains the elements relating to parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, and or contact to which the parties agree.

​Resolutions

Most families attend around four talking circles before reaching some resolution to their conflict. Some situations require more and others less. Often one on one counselling is provided for families between circles, with the Elders, Aunties, and Uncles. Meeting regularly with the Circle facilitator can be beneficial in developing skills to reduce conflict.

Confidentiality

​We are completely confidential, and everything shared in our Circles must stay inside the Circles, Circles are ceremony and are Sacred.  

Intakes

​If you and your family are involved with a Child Welfare Agency in Toronto or Peel region or have a custody or access issue and would like to know more about how the Giiwedin Anang Council can assist you, please contact us at [email protected]

For more Information about Giiwedin Anang please contact: 
Giiwedin Anang Council Coordinator – Kiosha Daigneault 
[email protected]     /   416-408-4041 x 254 (Voicemail Only) 

Giiwedin Anang Council Supervisor (Toronto) – Kim Whiteduck
[email protected]    /   416-408-4041 x 237

Giiwedin Anang Council Circle Facilitator (Toronto) - Cassandra Fitzgibbon 
[email protected]   /   416-408-4041 x 251

Giiwedin Anang Council Circle Facilitator (Peel) – Jacob Washington
[email protected]

Giiwedin Anang Council Program Manager – Ryan Walsh
[email protected]    / 647 355 9917

Intake request form