Disrupting the Continuities Among Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and Child Welfare: An Analysis of Colonial and Neocolonial Discourses

In Canada, it is estimated that 3 times as many Indigenous children are currently in the care of the state compared to when the residential schools’ populations were at their peak. It is imperative that action be taken. This article explores the continuities among residential schools, the Sixties Sc...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Indigenous Policy Journal
Main Authors: Holly A. McKenzie, Colleen Varcoe, Annette J. Brown, Linda Day
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: University of Western Ontario 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2016.7.2.4
https://doaj.org/article/0fb0816bba824bb08d4b28588c2d31ee
Description
Summary:In Canada, it is estimated that 3 times as many Indigenous children are currently in the care of the state compared to when the residential schools’ populations were at their peak. It is imperative that action be taken. This article explores the continuities among residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and child welfare in Canada today. In particular, we examine how colonial and neocolonial discourses operate through and justify these policies and practices. We propose nine policy recommendations, which aim to transform child welfare and support Indigenous families to care for their children. Although transformative policy change is unlikely within this neocolonial and neoliberal climate, the recent change in federal leadership has made it more possible to move these policy recommendations forward.