Families being heard: Indigenous mothers' experiences with the child welfare system in Manitoba
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Date
2019-09-11
Authors
Robertson, Suzanne C
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Abstract
There is an overrepresentation of Indigenous children and families receiving services in the Manitoba child and family services sector at this time. There are upwards of 11,000 children in the care of the system and the children by large majority are Indigenous children. There have been many factors that have been identified as leading contributors to the current representation, including Colonization, the 60's Scoop and the Indian Residential School system. Each of these historic tragedies has contributed to the ongoing social impacts to Indigenous families, children and communities, which have in turn, become some of the social indicators of children's consequential involvement with the child welfare system. These indicators and predictor are, but not limited to: cycles of abuse, poverty, addiction, systemic involvement (child welfare and judicial) and mental health instability. In 2003, the process of 'Devolution' ensued based on the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry child welfare initiative and was an attempt to address the number of persons involved in the child and family services sector that were of Indigenous ancestry who were accessing and receiving services. This qualitative research involved listening to the stories and experiences of 12 mothers of varying ages and socioeconomic status, all of whom identified as Indigenous women. Each mother shared her experience of involvement within the Manitoba child and family services sector. From the shared experiences came needed areas for change, such as supports provided to families as well as worker relationships with families. Additionally, suggestions for more efficient and family centred service provision were offered.
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Manitoba child and family services, Indigenous mothers, Support, Change, Workers