A new initiative for first nations children in the child welfare system is being rolled out. Yukon First Nations governments, the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon’s Family and Children’s Services announced a new initiative on supporting First Nation children in care.
The commitment, called Honouring Connections is a process that addresses the systematic over-representation of First Nation children in the child welfare system. The initiative promotes reunification with family, community and culture. According to Minister Pauline Frost, the first priority will be reunification of children with parents; if that is not possible, they will be reunified with extended family. If neither option is feasible then comprehensive cultural plans will be created for the child.
Council of First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston spoke about the long-term significance of the initiative. According to Johnston connections are very important to who First Nations people are, but some of that has been taken away over the last hundred years. Johnston believes that by providing connections for children who might otherwise lose a chance to know their culture, this program will result in healthier adults as well. According to the Grand Chief the more children have the ability to know who they are and where they come from, the more that they grow up with a sense of responsibility and accountability to the world, and indeed a stronger meaning to their lives.
The Honouring Connections supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Call to Action #1 which calls for all levels of government to commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care. Speakers at today’s press conference made it clear that several levels of government would be working together, but that significant powers, especially in the creation of cultural plans for children, would be given to the local First Nations Governments.
As of October 31st, 83 per cent of children in care in Yukon were First Nation citizens; 58 first nations children are under continuing care custody orders. This initiative is meant to address this imbalance and support reunification and cultural connections.
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