Alberta reports urge child welfare system changes after finding aboriginals account for 69%

New reports are providing recommendations to solve the issue of the overrepresentation of aboriginal children in Alberta’s child welfare system.

Reports by the Auditor General and the Child and Youth Advocate show aboriginal children make up 69 per cent of those in the child welfare system, even though only 10 per cent of children in the province are Indigenous.

During a one year period, the Child and Youth Advocate interviewed and spoke to 700 children, youth, Elders, and caregivers who expressed their perspectives about their involvement with the child welfare system.

READ MORE: Too many aboriginal kids in government care

The conclusion of the report identified systemic issues that contribute to the overrepresentation of aboriginal children, including socioeconomic factors, the legacy of the residential schools system and the Sixties Scoop, differing worldviews about family and responsibility for children, and distrust between Aboriginal People and governments.

“The overrepresentation of aboriginal children in the child welfare system in Alberta is among the highest in Canada. 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,” Del Graff, provincial child and youth advocate, said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The overrepresentation of aboriginal children in the child welfare system in Alberta is among the highest in Canada. 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," Del Graff, provincial child and youth advocate, said.

The Child and Youth Advocate report has made eight recommendations in an effort to find solutions:

1. The Alberta government should establish a new relationship with aboriginal communities based on increased self-determination and support
2. The government should review the child welfare legislation for the aboriginal community
3. The Ministry of Human Services should provide the resources and support for aboriginal communities to ensure delivery of child welfare services to their children and families
4. The government should adopt and observe Jordan’s Principle for aboriginal children and families involved with the child welfare system
5. The ministry should improve the effectiveness of child welfare program and service delivery
6. The ministry should support greater continuity of relationships for aboriginal children and families in child welfare
7. The ministry should develop a multi-year plan for addressing the issue, and report annually on progress achieved
8. The Alberta government should monitor, evaluate and report regularly to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on the state of aboriginal children living in the province

Child and Youth Advocate Report

READ MORE: National Child Day focuses on aboriginal children in care

Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir released a statement about the reports:

“Our government is committed to providing culturally appropriate support to Indigenous children in care to ensure their safety and well-being. We accept the recommendations in the reports of the Auditor General and the Child and Youth Advocate and will work with their offices, as well as Indigenous communities, as we examine opportunities to implement them and improve the way we help Indigenous children and youth in this province.”

The report acknowledges there are legitimate circumstances that require the child welfare system to get involved and bring children into government care. The report also highlights the “substantial efforts” of those working in the system of the children in government care.

Auditor General – Systems to deliver child and family services to indigenous children in Alberta