Issue 1: Reimagining Overrepresentation Research: Critical Reflections on Researching the Overrepresentation of First Nations Children in the Child Welfare System

• Published in: Journal of Law and Social Policy
• Main Authors: Sinha, Vandna, Delaye, Ashleigh, Orav-Lakaski, Brittany
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Osgoode Digital Commons 2018
• Subjects: Indigenous; Indian; and Aboriginal Law; Social Welfare Law; Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/jlsp/vol28/iss1/2; https://doi.org/10.60082/0829-3929.1295; https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/context/jlsp/article/1295/viewcontent/REPAIR.Sinha.JM.Feb14.FinalClean.pdf

This paper builds on the experiences of the first author in doing research on the overrepresentation of First Nations children in child welfare systems in Canada. Six lessons are presented: (1) overrepresentation is an inherently quantitative construct; (2) overrepresentation is an inherently comparative construct; (3) a focus on overrepresentation draws attention to the needs of specific groups, but may obscure the need for broader systemic reform; (4) available data relies on, but incompletely represents, decision-maker perspectives; (5) available data emphasizes point-in-time decisions; and (6) ambiguity in data must be very clearly acknowledged. Building on discussion of these lessons, we explore implications for future research directions and highlight considerations for child welfare policy and practice.