English - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

this work, will increase the likelihood that children
will be protected.
13. A collaborative approach to addressing family
violence engages different service providers and
programs and works throughout the continuum of
family violence; from prevention, to protection, to
healing. When working with Aboriginal families
it is expected that child welfare professionals will
work with Aboriginal community services.
D. UNDERSTANDING THE USE AND IMPACT OF
LANGUAGE
Language - the words we use and how we use them - reflects
a specific worldview. The Elders say language is important to maintaining First
Nations, Inuit and Métis culture because it passes on the specific knowledge and
experiences of people.
Some words immediately created a challenge when writing
the Practice Guide. The term used to describe First Nations,
Métis and Inuit people in Canada is “Aboriginal.” While the
term “Aboriginal” ensures that all Indigenous peoples are
reflected, regardless of location or status, it does not distinguish
the unique cultures, languages and traditions of First
Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
The term “Indigenous” is used internationally. The
United Nations understand Indigenous to include: selfidentification
as Indigenous peoples at the individual level
and acceptance by the community as a member; historical
continuity with pre-colonial and/or pre-settler societies; a strong link to territories
and surrounding natural resources; a distinct social, economic or political systems;
distinct language, culture and beliefs; form non-dominant groups of society; and resolve
to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive
peoples and communities. Indigenous peoples are the holders of unique languages,
knowledge systems and beliefs and possess invaluable knowledge of practices for the
sustainable management of natural resources. Their ancestral land has a fundamental
importance for their collective physical and cultural survival as peoples
(United Nations, n.d.).
There is a positive and strong link
between early childhood experiences and
environments and the long-term health
and well being of individuals. Quality
Indigenous Early Childhood Development
programs nurture the health of
young children, support their early
learning/education, promote their holistic
development and provide children with
opportunities to experience their distinct
Indigenous cultures and languages in
their diverse communities and Nations.
- BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, 2008
Our children, families, communities
and Nations are strong, resilient and
viable; however, they need support and
resources to successfully address the
many challenges that confront the healthy
development of children.
- BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, 2008
None of the words describing Indigenous peoples in Canada are the original words used
to describe First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. For example, First Nations people are
many peoples and Nations in Ontario. The terms used by First Nations people to describe
themselves in Ontario include Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples (“People of the
Longhouse”). These terms go beyond individual communities and geographic boundaries
and are historically based on the land that they occupied. Based on the important
connection to language, it is imperative that child welfare professionals use the preferred
language in the community.
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