Several First Nation communities near Sudbury, North Bay, and Parry Sound are working hard at having their own child and family services agency. 

For decades, when required, children from First Nations have been taken by provincial child and family services. 

Now, an alternative,Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services,is getting one step closer to becoming a private agency. 

William Diabo is a member of the agency’sboard.  He remembers the pain of having his great grandson taken from his family.

“If you don't have them as part of your life or be able to have them participate in your life, it's almost like losing someone in death. And that's kind of the way I feel about it. It's kind of like having a family member die, that you can't see again.” said Diabo.

He says it took seven years to get his great grandson back.

Now, March 21 marked a day that First Nations communities are calling "empowering." The current agency, Waabnoong Bemjiwang Child and Family Services is leaving the tribal council and will become incorporated under the new name, Niijaansinaanik.

Joanne Koehler is the agency’s executive director.

“It's the beginning of First Nation people being able to take care of their own. Not only in the way of child welfare, child welfare protection issues, but also in the area of prevention.” said Koehler.

For decades, in a family crisis situation, children have been taken and placed in non-First Nations homes.

Now, there is progress on a First Nation private agency, but those involved say more work is needed.

“It's been an uphill battle and we're not finished yet. We are still at the pre-designation stage. It will not be until we are designated and recognized as a designated child protective agency by the province.” said Koehler.

“We've reached most of the milestones or almost all of them, except the transition phase, which is working with the CAS (Children’s Aid Society) in the jurisdictional area to take over.” said Diabo.

The agency is currently working with seven First Nation communities in the north east, but is looking to get into more.