Indigenous child welfare is in crisis, the federal government admits. In this series The Tyee’s Katie Hyslop looks at how governments systematically undermined Indigenous families — and the emerging Indigenous-led solutions.
In This Series
How Canada Created a Crisis in Indigenous Child Welfare
Part one of a series: from residential schools to the Sixties Scoop, governments set out to undermine Indigenous families.
How Poverty and Underfunding Land Indigenous Kids in Care
Part two of a series: governments falling short in fixing Indigenous child welfare crisis, say critics.
Lessons from Care: ‘If the Government Hadn’t Done All Those Terrible Things’
Part three in a series. Who better to ask for solutions than Indigenous youth who have been in government care. First up, Ashley Bach.
The Kelowna Accord, Racism and the Child Welfare Crisis
Part four in a series. Former PM Paul Martin says an opportunity was lost; Cindy Blackstock isn’t so sure.
Changes Coming — Slowly — to Indigenous Child Welfare in BC
Part five of a series. Now that governments are finally acknowledging the problem, here’s what is changing.
Lessons from Care: ‘The Only Flaw in This System Is that Some of Us Survived’
Part six in a series. Jaye Simpson on lessons from a childhood in care.
Closing the Gap Between White Schools of Social Work and Indigenous Families
Part seven of a series. Indigenizing social work, one school at a time.
Lessons from Care: ‘One Thing I Do Recall Is Feeling Powerless and Unprotected’
Part eight in a series. Who better to ask for solutions than Indigenous youth who have been in government care. Today, Reina Foster.
‘We Can Stop That Flow of Children Going into Care’
Part nine in a series: how one First Nations community took on the child welfare system and won.
One First Nation’s Bold Approach to Child Welfare
Part 10 of a series: the Splatsin fought to gain control, and offer a new model of care for kids and families.
Lessons from Care: ‘We’ll Be Triumphant in Our Battle to Make This System Great’
Part 11 in a series. Who better to ask for solutions than Indigenous youth who have been in government care? Today, activist Dylan Cohen.
Good Intentions, Not Enough Action in Indigenous Child Welfare Plan, Says Advocate
Part 12 of a series. Minister Jane Philpott says the government knows the way out of the crisis. Cindy Blackstock has a different plan.
How We All Can Help Improve Indigenous Child Welfare Today
Part 13 of a series. Big structural change takes time. Improving lives of kids in care doesn’t have to.