Kw'umut(bringing up children) Lelum(Home)

"It's a place where you bring children, where it is safe..."

Kw'umut Lelum Child and Family Services is the organization responsible for the safety and well being of the st'ulul'iqulh (children) in the nine Nations that Kw'umut Lelum provides culturally sensitive services that include family support, foster care, guardianship, support groups and child abuse prevention programs.

Kw'umut Lemum strives to help children and families to:

•   'uwu kws tu'sus

•  remain in the care of the natural family, within their own Nation

•  participate in cultural activities that are in the best interests of the child.

•  operate programs that promote kw'am'kw'um' (strong) families and healthy, self reliant youth..

Kw'umut Lelum's mission statement is to work towards the children's rights to live with dignity, the integrity of the family, the parents right to care for their children, within the standards of the communities.

         "Kw'umut is a simple word at first glance. It means 'raising of children'". But in the older, higher sophisticated Hul'qumi'num language from our Elders of long ago, Kw'umut means much more. It means not only raising but nurturing and taking care of children in order that they will grow into strong adults. And it means not only raising your own children, but any child, even one that is not yours. Kw'umut - it means raising, nurturing, nourishment of a child or anyt thing...a plant, a tree. Any living thing needs to be given the basic needs in early life in order to grow strong and powerful. Lelum means house or dwelling."

Kw'umut Lelum's service area includes nine First Nations, from the Malahat First Nations in the South to Qualicum First Nation in the North, and from Penelakut First Nation in the East to the Lake Cowichan First Nation in the West. Total vehicle travel from the North to the South is estimated one hour and fifteen minutes, and from the East to West is about a half hour, depending on ferry schedules to and from Kuper Island.

Kw'umut Lelum is currently located on the Halalt First Nation territory. We would like to acknowledge the Halalt First Nation for allowing us to be a part of the community. We are thankful for the hospitality they have shown us.

In the next two or three years, we will build a permanent facility. The location will be important to carefully think about. We have children, parents and Elders coming long distances for our services and programs. A more central location would help. A clear and straight forward process for making decision will be set up and we expect that all parties will be involved in building our new home.