In June 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released an Executive Summary report of its findings and 94 Calls to Action to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.” These Calls to Action are divided into “Legacy” and “Reconciliation.” There were 5 Calls to Action for child welfare listed under the Legacy Category and pertained to redressing the harms resulting from the Indian residential schools.
Through our commitment to the 5 Calls for Action of the TRC, VACFSS continues to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in child welfare intervention through policies and practices to prioritize children being connected to their culture, their families, and their communities. Essential to this is ensuring social workers have adequate training to provide culturally appropriate trauma-informed interventions that address poverty, addiction, housing, and intergenerational effects of residential school through prevention-based services instead of neglect investigations. We continue to collaborate and invest in community partnerships to enhance the creation and implementation of programs to provide community-based services, including access to ceremony and cultural healing.
VACFSS has reviewed compliance, reaffirmed commitment to the TRC 5 Calls to Action, and noted recommendations and questions for future practice.
Click HERE to read the report.
