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Legislative
Assembly
of Ontario
Office of the Provincial Advocate
for Children and Youth
Assemblée
législative
de l’Ontario
Bureau de l’intervenant provincial
en faveur des enfants et des jeunes
Feathers of Hope forum gathers First Nations youth to address crisis facing child
welfare system
Thunder Bay (May 20, 2015) – Approximately 100 First Nations youth from Ontario
added their voices in calling for changes to the province’s child welfare system. The
youth gathered in Thunder Bay to attend the “Feathers of Hope: Child Welfare Youth
Forum” – which is held on May 19-23 and hosted by the Office of the Provincial
Advocate for Children and Youth.
Recent media stories have highlighted the challenges facing Ontario (and other
provinces) in providing safe, equitable and supportive care to children and youth under
the protection of the government. Despite representing less than 3 per cent of Canada’s
total child population, Aboriginal children make up approximately 15 per cent of all
children in care. In some provinces, they represent as many as 65 per cent of all
children in the child welfare system. Further, experts believe that there are currently
more children in care than at the height of the Indian Residential School period
(nineteenth and twentieth centuries).
“The most important decision that a government can make is whether or not to remove
a child from their guardians. Such a decision should not be treated lightly. We need to
hear the wisdom of First Nations youth gained from their lived experiences with the
child welfare system and their ideas. Only then, can we make the necessary changes that
will end the current cycle of hopelessness and despair facing these young people and
their communities,” said Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.
“Under the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, every First Nations
child is entitled to the same level of rights afforded to non-First Nations children. Yet we
continue to hear stories about so many First Nations children who have left traumatic
experiences only to find themselves struggling while in care,” Savanna Boucher, youth
amplifier and a member of Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation. “Through Feathers of Hope,
we are raising our voices in this important discussion and delivering a strong message
to decision-makers that we must work together in search of real solutions.”
401 Bay Street, Suite 2200, PO Box 2, Toronto, Ontario M7A 0A6 Tel: (416) 325-5669 FAX: (416) 325-5681 Toll Free: 1-800-263-2841 TTY: (416) 325-2648
401, rue Bay, bureau 2200, boîte postale 2, Toronto, Ontario M7A 0A6 Tél : (416) 325-5669 FAX: (416) 325-5681 Sans frais: 1-800-236-2841 ATS: (416) 325-2648
The youth attendees (ages 12-27) came from 50 remote and fly-in communities from
across northern Ontario. The forum drew a cross-section of representatives from all
three levels of government; First Nations leadership; children’s aid societies and others.
On the final day of the forum, youth delegates will present their stories and
recommendations to a listening table represented by decision-makers. A final report
capturing the voices of youth will be released in the near future.
"Feathers of Hope continues to be a landmark initiative to empower Ontario’s First
Nations youth in the north. It is distinguished both by its innovative approach and by its
grounding in the experiences of those youth. Our government is pleased to continue the
conversation with First Nations youth at forums such as this one and are grateful for the
dedication of the Feathers of Hope youth amplifiers and participants. Together we can
work to build a future of prosperity and well-being for all Aboriginal youth," said
Ontario’s Minister of Children and Youth Services Tracy MacCharles.
Since its launch in 2013, Feathers of Hope has grown into a powerful youth movement
mobilizing more than 1,000 First Nations youth from across Ontario and Canada. A
forum dedicated to the issue of child welfare was a key recommendation made by youth
in the Feathers of Hope: A First Nations Youth Action Plan in 2014.
-30About the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
The Office of the Provincial Advocate reports directly to the Legislature and provides an
independent voice for children and youth, including children with special needs and
First Nations children. The advocates receive and respond to concerns from children,
youth and families who are seeking or receiving services under the Child and Family
Services Act and the Education Act (Provincial and Demonstration Schools). The
Provincial Advocate may identify systemic problems involving children, conduct
reviews and provide education and advice on the issue of advocacy and the rights of
children. The Office is guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child and has a strong commitment to youth involvement.
-30 –
Media Contact
Eva Lannon & Associates
416.300.9721 or [email protected]
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Quotes
“On behalf of First Nations in Ontario, I extend my best wishes for a positive and
productive forum. I commend Ontario’s Advocate for Children and Youth and the Youth
Amplifiers on their excellent work in organizing another important event and following
through on a previous recommendation to engage youth on Ontario’s crisis in child
welfare. To the youth attending who have experience in the child welfare system—you
continue to have our love and respect. Your strength, resilience and knowledge gained
through experience will carry you forward in a good way as your generation becomes
the voice of the New People in the Seven Fires Prophecy of the Anishinabe.”
-Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy
“The incredible efforts of these First Nations youth help deepen our understanding of
the challenges faced by young people. The experiences shared and solutions offered by
these young people are profound and powerful. We thank them for sharing their
perspectives and offering real solutions towards meaningful change.”
–Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer
“This forum presents a wonderful opportunity for you to share your stories, ideas and
unique experiences. Your input will help inform the path forward and ensure lasting
change for First Nations children and youth. What an important way for your voices to
be heard and to make a difference in your communities.”
–the Honourable Tom Mulcair, Leader of the Official Opposition for the New Democratic
Party of Canada
“I look forward to the opportunity that the Feathers of Hope gathering provides to listen
to, and learn from, First Nations youth. I am confident that their insight and leadership
will help to shape a vision of child welfare services that Canada can be proud of, and
that helps to protect and support our most valuable resource – youth.”
–Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission David Langtry
“I wish to commend and congratulate all the young advocates who are participating in
the Feathers of Hope: Child Welfare youth-forum this week. You should be proud of
your hard work and your dedication to making our country and our world a better place
for you and for those who follow.”
-Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing and NDP Deputy Critic for
Aboriginal Health
“May you walk in peace, power and righteousness" – Karen Hill, Director of Aboriginal
Services, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
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Backgrounder: First Nations and Child Welfare
•
As of 2010, approximately 27,000 Aboriginal children were in care in Canada. (1)
•
Despite representing less than 3 per cent of Canada’s total child population,
Aboriginal children represent approximately 15 per cent of all children in care. In
some provinces, they represent as much as 65 per cent of all children welfare cases.
(2)
•
In Ontario, Aboriginal children make up 3 per cent of the child population, yet they
represent approximately 20 percent of children in care. (3)
•
Today, there are more Aboriginal children in care compared with any point during
the residential school period. (4)
•
First Nations children who live on-reserve are 5 times more likely to be placed in
child welfare care compared with children living off-reserve. (5)
•
Aboriginal children face a greater likelihood to be taken into care compared with
non-Aboriginals. (6)
•
Key factors driving children into care: neglect, poverty, poor housing conditions and
high incidences of substance abuse. (7)
Endnotes:
1. Fact Sheet on Child Welfare, October 2013. Assembly of First Nations. Fact Sheet
2. Ibid
3. Report of the Auditor General of Canada, May 2008, pg. 5
4. Fact Sheet on Child Welfare, October 2013.
5. Fact Sheet on Child Welfare, October 2013.
6. Special Advisor’s Report on the Status of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Ontario,
2010. www.children.gov.on.ca
7. CBC interview with C. Blackstock, First Nations and Family Caring Society. 2015.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/first-nations-child-advocate-wins-1st-battlewith-ottawa-on-services-1.1149966
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