Affidavit of Michael Bear - Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry

IN THE MATTER OF: Commission of Inquiry into the Circumstances
Surrounding the Death of Phoenix Sinclair
AFFIDAVIT OF MICHAEL BEAR
I, MICHAEL BEAR, of the City of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba,
MAKE OATH AND SAY THAT:
I am the chief of staff of the Southern Chiefs Organization.
2. I was the Executive Director of SouthEast Child & Family Services ("SECFS")
from 2004 to 2008. In that capacity I managed a staff of approximately 100 persons.
SECFS provided child protection services for nine First Nations communities: Berens
River, Bloodvein, Brokenhead, Buffalo Point, Hollow Water, Black River, Little Grand
Rapids, Pauingassi, and Poplar River. During the time I was Executive Director, SECFS
expanded its mandate to provide urban based services pursuant to the
recommendations from the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry CWI. (AJI-CVVI).
3. As Executive Director of SECFS I was responsible for overseeing the work of
SECFS which included case management, family reunification, interventions, crisis
response, child protection, counseling, family support, as well as foster and group home
placements. In managing the work of SECFS we worked in close cooperation with
other agencies and entities.