Under the Children and Family Services Act, First Nation Bands receive Notice when a child who is a member, or is eligible to be a member of the Band, is involved in a child protection proceeding before the courts. The Band Designate may be appointed to respond to these Notices and appear before the court on behalf of the Band. The Band Designate may also play an important advocacy and navigation role within their community to help ensure children and families receive culturally safe and relevant community-based resources and supports, where available, that support reunification of the family and their connection with their community.

These resources and supports are provided for both on and off-reserve Band members who wish to have the assistance of the Band Designate. The Band Designate can advocate keeping children who are Band members with their parents or caregivers and in their communities, whenever possible. When that is not possible, the Band Designate can navigate and advocate for other priority placements such as family members or community members, so the child does not lose their connection to their Mi’kmaw culture, heritage and community.