Child Welfare – Apprehensions, Poverty, and Government Funding

While the Government of Canada has passed legislation designed to reduce the number of Indigenous children in care, still, Indigenous children are apprehended by child welfare agencies at an alarming rate. Clear numbers are difficult to come by nationally, as child welfare is a provincial and territorial responsibility, while at the same time, First Nations families living on reserves are the responsibility of the Federal Government. In many cases, poverty is used as a justification for child apprehensions, and yet little is being done to right the wrongs since colonization that perpetuate a life of poverty for some Indigenous families. See: How Poverty and Underfunding Land Indigenous Kids in Care.

Furthermore, Dr. Cindy Blackstock (seen on Nation to Nation)  and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (FNCFCC) have been involved in a Human Rights Tribunal since 2007. Dr. Blackstock and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society have repeatedly ordered the Federal Government to begin funding health and education on reserves at the same level as non-Indigenous children, and to pay compensation to those children harmed by these unjust practices. See: By the Numbers for a look at how this tribunal process has unfolded over a ten-year period or view this video interview with Pamela Palmater:  Child Welfare Unfair for First Nations.

A compensation settlement for these discriminatory child welfare policies has recently been agreed to in principle. See: Canada, First Nations reveal details of $40B draft deals to settle child welfare claims. For the full news conference, see: Ottawa announces agreements on First Nations child welfare compensation and reform.