Listen to thisIndigenous children are hugely overrepresented in Alberta’s child welfare
system according to a new report from the province’s Child and Youth
Advocate.
The special report, called Voices for Change, points
out that only one in 10 children in Alberta has Indigenous heritage, yet
they make up 69 per cent of those in the child welfare system.
Indigenous children are more than 30 times more likely to be in care than non-Indigenous kids, and Métis children are about six times as likely.
“The over representation of Aboriginal children in the child welfare system in Alberta is among the highest in Canada,” said Provincial Child and Youth Advocate Del Graff, in a release. “Significant reforms are needed, and should be based on a renewed partnership between Government and Aboriginal people. The voices of Aboriginal people must be heard.”
The report makes eight recommendations, including establishing a better relationship with Indigenous groups, support those groups in delivering child welfare services and improve the effectiveness of programs.
While there are legitimate concerns that lead to kids being taken into care, Graf also points to systemic issues that have made the problem worse, including socioeconomic issues, the legacy of residential schools and a history of distrust between the government and Indigenous people.
The report was created by collecting information from more than 700 stakeholders over the course of a year ending in January 2016. Children, youth, Elders and other groups all shared their perspectives on the child welfare system.
Alex Boyd
http://www.ocya.alberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SpRpt_2016July_VoicesForChange.pdf
