Best interests according to whom? How Anishinaabe people impacted by the Manitoba child welfare system define the best interests of the child principle

• Main Author: Kowal, Brandy
• Other Authors: Copenace, Sherry (Social Work Indigenous Knowledge Holder), Turnbull, Lorna (Law), Dennis, Mary Kate
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Indigenous child welfare; child welfare; child and family services; best interests; First Nation; Anishinaabe; child welfare law; Indigenous law; Breath of Life Theory; anti-colonial; anishina*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1993/37553

This research asked: “how do Anishinaabe people impacted by Manitoba child welfare systems define the best interests of the child principle.” Drawing from an anti-colonial lens and the Breath of Life Theory (Blackstock, 2009; 2011; 2019), and utilizing a conversational methodology (Kovach, 2009; 2019; 2021), eleven self-identified Anishinaabe people were interviewed. Participants ranged in age from 20-63 and included former youth in care, parents, grandparents, and knowledge keepers impacted by child welfare in Manitoba. Analysis was conducted utilizing reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Braun, et al., 2019). Results indicated that the best interests of Anishinaabe children must consider inawendawin (relationship), community, culture, aki (land), gikendaasowin (knowledge, building knowledge), hope and healing. Furthermore, the best interests of Anishinaabe children are inherently connected to their family and community. This research synthesizes the findings into a visual representation and calls for a complete move away from the child and family services system, including challenging the language of child welfare and stepping away from the current models of foster care as part of upholding an Anishinaabe system of caring for family and community. For social work, the research calls for critical learning and reflection in education and practice, and for social workers unwilling to do the work to understand Indigenous worldviews to step away from working with Indigenous people. For settler-colonial governments, the research calls for greater integration of departments, acknowledging that First Nation sovereignty extends beyond child welfare and that the best interest of Anishinaabe children is connected to other departments, such as land. October 2023