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.