Indigenous mothers’ experiences of power and control in child welfare
Families being heard
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21721473 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Suzanne C Robertson (University of Manitoba), Carey Sinclair (Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. (Ndinawe), Winnipeg, Canada), A R Hatala (0000-0002-8063-5852, University of Manitoba, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 303-322 |
| Publication date | 2022-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1468-0173 • E-ISSN: 1741-296X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/14680173211009187 |
| OpenAlex | W3168954333 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 8 |
| References cited | 10 |
There are upward of 11,000 Indigenous children and families in the Manitoba Child and Family Services (CFSs). Many factors coalesce as contributors to these high rates of care, including oppressive histories of Canadian settler colonialism, governmental policies and the Indian Residential Schools, and mass apprehensions of Indigenous children through “the 60’s scoop.” Although a process of “Devolution” began in Manitoba in 1999 to address Indigenous overrepresentation and improve cultural safety for children and families, the voices of women whose children are in care often remain silenced and marginal. Findings Utilizing an Indigenous Research lens, this qualitative study explored the stories and experiences of 12 Indigenous mothers involved with Manitoba CFS. The mothers’ stories revealed dynamics of power and control outlined in five core themes: (1) Being “set up to fail”; (2) Confronting “normalcy” and navigating case plans; (3) Dealing with tactics of intimidation; (4) Experiencing judgment and being labelled; and (5) Emotional politics. The mothers’ stories suggest that the CFS system continues to reflect colonial structures of oppression and that the “Devolution” did not fully have the intended impact on daily practice. Applications The womens' shared experiences highlight several areas for change, such as: enhanced family supports and worker relationships; utilization of capacity building frameworks; better institutional collaborations; increased efforts to maintain family relationships and units; and greater access to and quality of Indigenous cultural supports for mothers and children, including ceremony, healing, and access to Elders. Suggestions for more efficient and family-centered service provision are also offered
Child protection · Colonialism · Indigenous · Oppression · Participatory action research · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Welfare · Child Welfare and Adoption · Gender Studies · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Social Work Education and Practice
Leveraging culturally-relevant urban social housing to address Indigenous youth homelessness and transitions out of government care
It's a Valuable Service but a Hard Place to Be
Alone, Lost, and Unprepared by the System
Replanting the Birthing Trees
The representation of indigenous children in policies in Indonesia
Transitioning out of the child welfare system in Manitoba, Canada
Involuntary Treatment Legislation in Canada
A decolonial perspective on Indigenous infant and early childhood mental health
Foucault's Discipline and Punish An Exposition and Critique
The Subject and Power
Conversational Method in Indigenous Research1
Contemporary Practice of Traditional Aboriginal Child Rearing
Every Day It Takes a Piece of You Away”
Mothers’ Narratives of Their Involvement With Child Welfare Services
Toward a Decolonial Feminism
Reframing Narratives of Aboriginal Health Inequity
| Unique citing works | 8 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 4 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |