Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
October 26 - 28, 2005
Upcoming Events • October 2005 • April 2007 • Other past events
Reconciliation: Looking back, reaching forward--Indigenous peoples and child welfare, October 26-28, 2005, brought together 200 invited leaders from the United States, Canada and abroad to initiate a movement of reconciliation in child welfare.
Driven by their collective belief that child welfare can, and must, do better for Indigenous children, youth and their families, the participants examined the personal values and beliefs underlying social work practice.
Using the analogy of a journey down the river, these invited leaders courageously examined what aspects of child welfare have worked for, and against, the well-being of Indigenous children and youth.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants talked openly about the often-painful history of child welfare before identifying the touchstones necessary to build a foundation for an improved child welfare system. Reconciliation in child welfare: Touchstones of hope for Indigenous children, youth, and families draws from the rich conversations of the participants at the reconciliation event to describe why reconciliation in child welfare is needed, what reconciliation can mean in the context of child welfare, and to identify key values (touchstones) to guide reconciliation in child welfare.
Reconciliation in Child Welfare: Touchstones of Hope for Indigenous Children, Youth, and Families
(15 pages, PDF)
Reconciliation Event Speeches
From Pain To Rainbows: Towards A Transformed Child Welfare System
Reconciliation Event Opening Address by Minister Fraser-Moleketi
(October 26, 2005, 14 pages, PDF)
Indigenous Peoples and Child Welfare: The Path to Reconciliation
Reconciliation Event Keynote Address by Mr. Justice René Dussault
(October 27, 2005, 7 pages, PDF)
How Do Bad Things Happen When Good People Have Good Intentions?
Reconciliation Event, Panel Presentation by Prof. John S. Milloy
(October 26, 2005, 3 pages, PDF)
Event Evaluation
Evaluation of Reconciliation: Looking Back, Reaching Forward--Indigenous Peoples and Child Welfare
Research Project by Sulaimon Giwa, Anupriya Sethi, Bridget Smith, and Mary Wabano
(April 6, 2006, 95 pages, PDF)