Community-Based Child Welfare for Aboriginal Children: Supporting Resilience Through Structural Change

An uncaring state? The overrepresentation of First Nations children in the Canadian child welfare system

“…Although many Canadians dismiss the idea that colonization still affects life in Canada today, the intergenerational trauma that resulted from the residential school era, including the loss of generations of familial support networks and parental rolemodelling, has been linked to the high number of neglect charges. 3,9 As a consequence, it is estimated that three times as many First Nations children are under government care today than during the height of the residential school era. 3 The last residential school closed in Saskatchewan in 1996, and the "Sixties Scoop," during which Aboriginal children were apprehended by child welfare services en masse and adopted to predominantly non-Aboriginal families, continued for nearly three decades.…”

“…3,9 As a consequence, it is estimated that three times as many First Nations children are under government care today than during the height of the residential school era. 3 The last residential school closed in Saskatchewan in 1996, and the "Sixties Scoop," during which Aboriginal children were apprehended by child welfare services en masse and adopted to predominantly non-Aboriginal families, continued for nearly three decades. 4 Canada's decentralized governance and split jurisdictions make reform of child welfare problematic.…”

“…Aboriginal researchers have called for service programming and delivery cultivated by Aboriginal people as key to successful programming. 3 Physicians can do much to improve the lives of Aboriginal families and youth exposed to the child welfare system. This can include helping all Canadians, including policy-makers, better understand the legacy of colonization, as well as the health and social effects of intergenerational trauma.…”

“…3 • Aboriginal youth comprise nearly 50% of the children under government care in many jurisdictions across the country.…”

“…The complaint alleges that by failing to provide equitable child welfare services and funding for children living on-reserve, Canada is discriminating against First Nations children and contributing to their continued overrepresentation in the child welfare system, with recent estimates suggesting that First Nations communities receive 22% less funding per child. [2][3][4] In the context of this article, "First Nations" refers only to those who identify as "Indians" as defined by the Indian Act (i.e., this excludes Métis and Inuit people).…”