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The Sixties Scoop in Canada

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The Sixties Scoop in Canada
Critical Social Work
School of Social Work University of Windsor 401 Sunset Avenue Windsor, Ont. Canada N9B 3P4 Email: cswedit@uwindsor.ca Website: http://www.uwindsor.ca/criticalsocialwork/

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The online version of this article can be found at at: http://uwindsor.ca/criticalsocialwork/the http://uwindsor.ca/criticalsocialwork/the-sixties-scoop-implications-for-social-workers workers-andsocial-work-education

Critical Social Work, 2010 Vol. 11 o. 1 11,
Online publication date: May 2010

53 Alston-O’Connor

The Sixties Scoop: Implications for Social Workers and Social Work Education
Critical Social Work 11(1)
Emily Alston-O’Connor, BSW

Abstract This paper examines issues concerning First Nations peoples and the child welfare system, and their implications for social work today. It explores the Sixties Scoop to illustrate the devastating impact such policies and practices had on Aboriginal children, families and communities. Cultural genocide is part of this legacy. To deliver more culturally appropriate services, awareness about and acknowledgement of these mistakes can assist social workers to incorporate a social justice perspective into their practice with Aboriginal clients. As well, implications for social work education regarding professional training, curriculum content and course delivery by Aboriginal faculty members are highlighted The Sixties Scoop: Implications for Social Workers and Social Work Education Religious leaders and the government of Canada have apologized to First Nations peoples for the abusive experiences they endured in the residential school system. However, the closure of the residential schools did not end the attempt to assimilate Aboriginal children into mainstream Anglo-Canadian society through separation from their families. A sudden acceleration in child welfare workers


References: Armitage, A. (1995). Comparing the Policy of Aboriginal Assimilation: Australia, Canada and ew Zealand. Vancouver: UBC Press. Battiste, M. (2002). Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy in First ations education: A literature review with recommendations. Prepared for the National working group on education and the Minister of Indian Affairs, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Ottawa, ON. Retrieved March 9, 2010, from: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/krw/ikp_e.html. CASW (2005). Social work code of ethics. Ottawa: Canadian Association of Social Workers. Clark, N., Drolet, J., Arnouse, M., Rene’ Tamburro, P., Walton, P., & Mathews, N. (2009). ““Melq’ilwiye” Coming Together in An Intersectional Research Team – Using Narratives and Cultural Safety to Transform Aboriginal Social Work and Human Service Field Education.” Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health 7.2, 291-315. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from: http://www.pimatisiwin.com/online/wp-content/ uploads/2010/jan/08ClarkeDroletArnouseMathews.pdf. Cuthand, D. (2007). Askiwina: A Cree World. Regina: Couteau Books. Fournier, S. & Crey, E. (1997). Stolen From Our Embrace. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntrye. Hart, M. (2007). Seeking Mino-Pimatisiwin: An Aboriginal Approach to Helping. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing. Johnson, P. (1983). ative Children and the Child Welfare System. Toronto: Lorimer. Kimmelman, E. (1985). o Quiet Place: Final Report to the Honourable Muriel Smith, Minister of Community Services/Review Committee on Indian and Metis Adoptions/Placements. Winnipeg: Manitoba Community Services. Kulusic, T. (2005). “The Ultimate Betrayal: Claiming and Reclaiming Cultural Identity”. Atlantis, 29.2, 23-28. Lavell-Harvard, D. M. & Lavell, J.C. (Eds.). (2006). Until Our Hearts Are On The Ground: Aboriginal Mothering, Oppression, Resistance and Rebirth. Toronto: Demeter Press. Levin, R. & Herbert, M. (2004). “The Experience of Urban Aboriginals with Healt Care Services in Canada: Implications for Social Work Practice”. Social Work in Health Care, 39.1, 165-179. MacDonald, N. & MacDonald, J. (2007) “Reflections of a Mi’kmaq social worker on a quarter of a century work in First Nations Child Welfare”. First Peoples Child & Family Review, 3.1, 34-45. Critical Social Work, 2010 Vol. 11, No. 1 61 Alston-O’Connor McKenzie, B. & Morrissette, V. (2003). Social Work Practice with Canadians of Aboriginal Background: Guidelines for Respectful Social Work. Envision: The Manitoba Journal of Child Welfare, 2, 13-39. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Retrieved May 13, 2009. http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/p_genoci.htm Sinclair, R. (2007). “Identity Lost and Found: Lessons from the Sixties Scoop”. First Peoples Child & Family Review. 3.1, 65-82. Titley, E. B. (1992). A arrow Vision: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Administration of Indian Affairs in Canada. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press. Ward, M. (1984). The Adoption of ative Canadian Children. Cobalt: Highway Book Shop. York, G. (1990). The Dispossessed: Life and Death in ative Canada. Toronto: Little Brown. Critical Social Work, 2010 Vol. 11, No. 1
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