First Peoples Child & Family Review
Not a member yet
312 research outputs found
Sort by
A Longitudinal Study to Better Understand Child Protection Intervention for First Nations Children
No full textThis study brings forward new evidence regarding child protection (CP) intervention for First Nations children and contributes to a longitudinal understanding of their trajectories within CP services. It raises questions regarding the persisting, unmet needs of First Nations children, families, and communities by identifying the CP factors associated with a first decision to provide post-investigation intervention and a first decision to close a case following post-investigation intervention among First Nations children. Anonymized administrative data (2002–2014; n = 1340) were used to conduct multivariate analyses, including longitudinal analyses using Cox proportional hazards modeling. Among First Nations children, those who were very young, who were reported for serious risk of neglect, and whose situation included indicators of repeated individual or family contact with CP services were more likely to receive post-investigation intervention. Similarly, those who were very young, provided services for neglect or serious risk of neglect, and whose situation was investigated at least twice before intervention was provided were more likely to have a longer first episode of intervention. The longitudinal analyses also revealed that more than one in two First Nations children (51.7%) receiving post-investigation intervention experienced a placement in out-of-home care during their interaction with CP services. This study contributes to a better understanding of intervention for First Nations children in Canada. It highlights how First Nations children receiving CP intervention live in situations in which their needs persist over time and how current services do not appear able to respond to these situations adequately, supporting the move towards autonomous, Indigenous–led CP services
Self-Determination, Public Accountability, and Rituals of Reform in First Peoples Child Welfare
No full textFirst Peoples continue to face intergenerational harms as a result of settler systems of intervention in the lives of their families, including the forced removal of children. First Peoples resistance includes advocacy for systemic change, in particular focused on foundations of greater accountability of child welfare systems, and recognition of First Peoples’ right to self-determination. However achieving these necessary structural changes remains a pressing challenge.
Using the example of the recent Aboriginal-led review of child welfare in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, ‘Family is Culture’, this paper explores the cycle of inquiry and response, and the repeated failures to enable self-determination or strengthen public accountability and oversight. Drawing on concepts including legitimacy and the rule of law, we conceptualise this pattern of reviews as a ritual of redemption by settler child welfare systems, distancing themselves from ‘past’ wrongs while refusing to address the harmful foundations of these systems, thereby perpetuating the violence imposed on First Peoples children, families and communities. This contrasts with First Peoples’ frameworks for child welfare reform, which must be urgently realised in order to establish such systems on more just and effective foundations.  
Promoting Cultural Connectedness Through Indigenous-led Child and Family Services: A Critical Review with a Focus on Canada
No full textThere is consensus that quality services to Indigenous children and families involve the transmission, preservation, and promotion of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultural connections and must be delivered within specific First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultural frameworks led by Indigenous people. This view is expressed across research and service reports, in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 2015 Report and Calls to Action, and in the Government of Canada’s newly enacted An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (2019). This article reviews support for this viewpoint, drawing from primarily Indigenous scholarship and illustrated with reference to Indigenous-led services across Canada
Aboriginal Kinship Carers and Carers of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Western Australia: Advancing Knowledge from an Indigenous and Disability Lens
No full textChildren and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have limited access to assessment, diagnostic, and treatment resources – a distinct disadvantage in meeting their care needs in Australia. Limited knowledge exists on the intersection of FASD, Indigeneity, racism, trauma, and child welfare involvement. Notably, the lack of support for children with FASD increases the risk of adverse outcomes, including incarceration, homelessness, mental health problems, and early mortality. Children with FASD are often cared for in the child protection system by kinship carers, many without a diagnosis or the benefits of FASD informed care. Rarely considered is the Australian response to FASD or the Aboriginal worldview on disability. Qualitative research was utilized to conduct semi-structured interviews with six carers of Indigenous children with FASD–three foster carers and three relative or kinship carers. Seven core themes identified by carers included: FASD awareness, caregiver health, advocacy for the child, mothers of the children with FASD, loss and grief experienced by the carer, social costs, and children in child protection care. Carers identified that limited resources existed to address the disabilities and care needs of children, including training and respite. Financial disparity exists with relative carers receiving less income than foster carers. Carers demonstrated advocacy, resiliency, and resourcefulness in providing care. A lack of knowledge of FASD and core resources in child welfare services were identified as major challenges in providing care. This research examined the caregiving experiences of foster and Aboriginal kinship carers, caring for children with FASD in child protection
“It’s in my blood. It’s in my spirit. It’s in my ancestry”: Identity and its impact on wellness for Métis women, two-spirit, and gender diverse people in Victoria, British Columbia
No full textThis article illustrates perspectives on Métis cultural identity, belonging, and positionality, within the context of wellness. As authors, we have the privilege of sharing stories from 24 Métis women, two-spirit, and/or gender diverse people in Victoria, British Columbia—living or accessing services on the unceded territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples. Their stories illustrate personal and inter-generational journeys of reclaiming Métis identity, while also highlighting the importance of culture, community, family, land and location. As Métis researchers conducting Métis specific research, we also share our own positionalities and reflect on our responsibilities to community and to the original caretakers of the land
isihcikêwinihk kâkî nâtawihon: Healing through Ceremony
No full textisihcikêwinihk kâkî nâtawihon (Healing through Ceremony) is an audio-visual learning experience created in ceremony and in relationship with knowledge-keepers, wisdom-holders, language speakers, and the survivors of Indian Residential Schools and their descendants. In ceremony and in language, the authors met with twenty-three knowledge-keepers and Indigenous community members who shared their experiences of “healing through ceremony”. Through protocol and relationship, the knowledge-keepers and Indigenous community members gave permission to the authors to have the teachings and stories recorded and documented. The audio-visual learning experience came to be understood as an experience of kiskinowapahtam – to heal, teach, and learn by watching and doing. The teachings and stories shared in isihcikêwinihk kâkî nâtawihon guide social workers towards understanding how to support Indigenous communities with healing from the legacy of Residential Schools and the lasting intergenerational impacts of colonization. isihcikêwinihk kâkî nâtawihon supports the preservation of Indigenous knowledge regarding healing and ceremony and directly impacts current and future generations through providing this knowledge to social workers serving Indigenous communities. From this teaching experience, the knowledge-keepers, community members, and authors share a collective vision that Indigenous children, families, and communities encounter social workers who understand, honor, and trust the healing that happens in ceremony. 
The Use of Indigenous Research Methodologies in Counselling: Responsibility, Respect, Relationality, and Reciprocity
No full textThe values of “Responsibility, Respect, Relationality and Reciprocity (the 4Rs)” in Indigenous research methodologies inform the core principles of Indigenous kinship systems. This is most often understood as the interconnectedness to land, relatives, animals, and spirits. Despite ongoing systems of oppression, Indigenous kinship values have not only survived but continue to demand a rightful a place within our education, health, justice, and welfare systems. Through critical self-reflective praxis, I explore how the values of “Responsibility, Respect, Relationality and Reciprocity” that guide Indigenous research methodologies (IRM) can disrupt Western based psychotherapies and counselling practices that too often reproduce harm onto Indigenous peoples. The 4Rs upheld in IRM strengthen kinship by centring the values that promote the beauty and intelligence of Indigenous knowledge systems and generations of knowledge holders
First Peoples Child & Family Review, Volume 17, Issue 1 (2022)
No full textVolume 17, Issue (1) of the First People Child and Family Review puts forward articles that disrupt Westernized approaches in social work and counselling practices to provide systemic solutions that integrate cultural wellness and lived experiences from Métis and First Nations, and non-Indigenous expressions. Although written separately, the articles interconnect in ways that cover professional duties, critical self-reflection, and how to best support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis wellbeing and provide equity-based and culturally respective care. The authors encourage readers to act and revise their practices within their respective environments that impact First Nations, Inuit, and Métis wellbeing in Canada.
Corresponding author: Madelaine McCracken, [email protected] 
A Critical Reflection: Exposing Whiteness in Child Welfare Practice
No full textThis critical reflection is based on my practice encounter as a white settler social worker within the context of Child Welfare, in rural Canada during the late 1990s. This paper is in line with Karen Healy’s (2001) notion of critical social work, as a means to enhance systemic and related child welfare social worker practice. More specifically this paper addresses, through a specific case encounter with an Indigenous mother, how white settler social workers are systemically entangled in perpetuating acts of oppression. This critical reflection enables the reader to become aware of how mainstream social work practice, has the ability to unintentionally harm those service receivers that it actually intends to help. This paper critically addresses discourse around professional innocence, the risks of professional knowledge, representational violence and ethical practice dilemmas, within the context of a disguised practice encounter. The relevance of this critical reflection may be seen as a social justice initiative, catered predominantly towards white settler front line practitioners. These challenges are originating from within our own practices. Our practices are historically embedded in systemic colonial forms of discrimination and racism against First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. I bring light to how white settler social workers should confront their own personal and professional pre-conceived notions, biases, and misconceptions and instead, implement anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practices within their work. This process begins with critical self-reflection
First Peoples Child & Family Review, Volume 15, Issue 2 (2020)
No full textIt is with great pleasure that we bring you Volume 15, Issue 2 of the First Peoples Child & Family Review. Although this issue was not guided by a particular theme, the articles take on a new light given the current COVID-19 pandemic. The community-based research, stories, and experiences articulated in the articles demonstrate the collective resilience of Indigenous communities, the resurgent vitality of Indigenous worldviews and lifeways, and the capacity of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to collaborate in pursuit of justice, equity, and the holistic wellbeing of Indigenous children, families, and communities.
Corresponding author: Brittany Mathews at [email protected]