English - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

A range of violent behaviour can occur in Métis, First Nations and
Inuit families, including woman abuse, elder abuse, children being
abused and men experiencing violence
> > Violence that is being directed toward Aboriginal women by either
non-Aboriginal or Aboriginal men will have consequences for
women’s families
> > Family violence exists in all communities and is not specific to
Aboriginal peoples
3. The historical relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the child welfare
system in Ontario has not always been positive. To transform that
relationship, a conscious change in the working relationship between
Aboriginal peoples and child welfare will need to occur.
4. All Aboriginal peoples, wherever they reside in Ontario, have a right to
equitable access to and quality of services.
5. In the development of services for and with Aboriginal peoples, the
jurisdictional context and authorities of Aboriginal peoples and service
providers must be respected.
6. All child welfare work needs to be directed towards facilitating Aboriginal
children remaining in their original family and in their community, while
ensuring safety needs are met.
7. Aboriginal children come into care because of family violence. Protecting
children is the first priority. The protection of the abused caregiver is critical
to protecting the children.
8. Family violence from an Aboriginal perspective includes but is not limited to
the power and control relationship between two people. Family violence is also
a product of the historical trauma that Aboriginal peoples have experienced
through colonization, residential schools and the large number of children put
into foster homes in the 1960s, known as the “’60s scoop”.
9. Addressing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care and the
experience of family violence in Aboriginal families requires a holistic,
collaborative and healing approach.
10. A holistic approach supports the family and the individual family members to
restore a balance in their individual and family life through healing approaches
based on traditional cultural teachings and practices of First Nations, Métis
and Inuit people. Culture is a tool and is never to be imposed on any family
member.
11. Healing is an individual process that occurs in stages. Each person and family
proceeds through the stages of healing at a different pace.
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12. Overcoming violence is a community responsibility, and engaging the
community is part of the solution in addressing violence in families. Involving
the community in the protection of children and providing resources to do