A Critical Survey of the History of Indigenous Child Welfare in Canada

3 credits · Undergraduate

This course will examine the development and practice of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada from historic to contemporary times. Within a framework of examining the issue of Aboriginal control of child welfare as a right within the inherent right of self-government, major themes and concepts to be explored will include the “best interests of the child and Western liberal individual rights principles,” “rights of the First Nations child,” “over-representation” issues and challenges faced by First Nations controlled Family and Child Services. Additional areas of “child welfare” will also be examined. It will also consider critical/Indigenous perspective related to central themes, discourses and concepts within Aboriginal Child Welfare policy and practice. The course format includes lectures, readings, case studies, guest speakers, film and research.