This guide is intended as a supplementary resource for staff at Children's Aid Societies and Indigenous Well-being Agencies. It is not intended as an authority on social work or legal practice, nor is it meant to be representative of all perspectives in child welfare. Staff are encouraged to think critically when reviewing publications and other materials, and to always confirm practice and policy at their agency.
In this guide you will find supplementary readings and additional resources relevant to topics and practice areas covered in the OACAS course "Equity in Child Welfare." Use the sidebar menu on the left to browse information and find resources – such as publications, videos, and websites – to assist with your research and inspire continued learning.
While equity and anti-oppressive practice (AOP) in child welfare are concerned with providing equitable outcomes for all children, youth, and families, OACAS recognizes that not all Indigenous communities agree with or support equity and AOP frameworks, and that distinct approaches are required when working within an Indigenous context. This is because Indigenous peoples are not just seeking equity, but also additional unique rights as described in the statement below from the Ontario Human Rights Commission:
"It is important to note that Indigenous peoples understand themselves as peoples or nations, not as racial or ethnic groups. There are many consequences that flow from this distinction, including Indigenous peoples’ rights to land and rights to self-determination, which includes rights to self-government. These rights have been recognized at the international level through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. To respect these distinct entitlements, Indigenous peoples must be distinguished from other communities and recognized as unique. We encourage CASs, government and others to clearly recognize Indigenous peoples as distinct peoples and nations when considering data collection and other aspects of service delivery."
-From the 2018 report Interrupted childhoods: Over-representation of Indigenous and Black children in Ontario child welfare.