1. We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care by:
i. Monitoring and assessing neglect investigations.
ii. Providing adequate resources to enable Aboriginal communities and child-welfare organizations to keep Aboriginal families together where it is safe to do so, and to keep children in culturally appropriate environments, regardless of where they reside.
iii. Ensuring that social workers and others who conduct child-welfare investigations are properly educated and trained about the history and impacts of residential schools.
iv. Ensuring that social workers and others who conduct child-welfare investigations are properly educated and trained about the potential for Aboriginal communities and families to provide more appropriate solutions to family healing.
v. Requiring that all child-welfare decision makers consider the impact of the residential school experience on children and their caregivers.
It is necessary for the government, at every level, to ensure a reduction in the number of Aboriginal children in care programs by fully investigating abuse allegations. In order to ensure that there are appropriate resources available for Aboriginal families to stay together whenever it may be safe, and to make sure that Aboriginal children have access to a culturally suitable environment whenever possible.
Also, by verifying that social workers, in addition to government workers, are properly trained and briefed on the history and lasting impact of residential school it makes sure that social workers, in addition to government workers, are properly trained and aware of the multiple options for Aboriginal family healing.
It also emphasizes ensuring that all child-welfare workers are aware of the impact of residential school experiences on children as well as their families and caregivers.