Journal Article

We are the manifestations of our ancestor's prayers

Blackstock, Cindy, Cross, Terry

2012

Overview

Colonialism infuses the experience of First Peoples around the world, across the past, present, and future continuum. Its destructive force extends past First Peoples, eroding the understanding of non-Aboriginal peoples and to diminishing the fundamental national values of democracy, freedom, justice, and dignity for all, even in the most developed nations. For a colonial power to be successful, it must take the land, control the natural resources, suppress self-governance, delegitimize culture - and, finally, it must take the children. Child welfare policy and practice has been no exception; it has just recently begun to acknowledge its colonial culture and take steps to address it in some parts of the world. Today, the Indigenous adults and young people who have lived through a devastating history of colonialism and continue to be touched by the colonial vestiges in child welfare are looking for their true identities and are still suffering the trauma of separation and loss. Adapted from the source document. © (2007) Child Welfare League of America. Reprinted by permission

• Subject: Canada / Child / Child Welfare - legislation & jurisprudence / Colonialism / Culture / Democracy / Foster Home Care - legislation & jurisprudence / Freedom / Human Rights - legislation & jurisprudence / Humans / Identity / Indians, North American - legislation & jurisprudence / Indigenous populations / Inuits - legislation & jurisprudence / Justice / Natural resources / Power / Social Work - legislation & jurisprudence / Trauma / United Nations / United States / Values