A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography Focusing on Aspects of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada

Aug 21, 2026

A literature review and annotated bibliography examining key aspects of Aboriginal child welfare in Canada, prepared and compiled by Marlyn Bennett with additional writing, editing, and revisions by Cindy Blackstock. The document includes historical and contemporary acknowledgements outlining intergenerational resilience and collaborative support among Indigenous organizations, academic faculties, and child welfare institutions. It also documents funding and institutional context, invites public feedback, and provides contact information for additional copies and future living updates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages239

Reading Time10 h 2 min

AccessFree to download

Historical Acknowledgements

Contemporary Acknowledgements

Part I: A Review of the Literature Focusing on Aspects of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada

A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography Focusing on Aspects of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada Prepared and compiled by Marlyn Bennett with additional writing and editing by Cindy Blackstock for the First Nations Research Site of the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare November 2002 Historical Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the memory and spirit of our ancestors … especially those individuals who survived the abuses of residential schools who lived to tell about them and the many Elders of the vast cultures and nations across this country now called Canada, who silently, vigilantly and defiantly kept the threads of our diverse cultures, values and principles alive so that we, this generation and into the next, have something viable to live for, call our own , which continually plays a part in shaping our various identities and nations, complete with strong spirits of resilience and cultural pride and faithful convictions for who we were, where we have been, who we are now and the nations we might become yet again … Despite what our collective ancestors and relatives have experienced, although many have now left mother earth for the spirit world , they have passed unto us , a generational memory of endurance so strong that it will continue to be felt by the next seven generations and beyond … We continue to be proud descendents of collective nations whose spirits cannot be broken in light of the devastating impacts of the colonizing events from the past, the present and what may be (but we wish not), still a part of our collective futures . A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography Focusing on Aspects of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada Contemporary Acknowledgements: We are not islands unto ourselves , therefore, many thanks are due numerous individuals and organizations that helped make this publication a reality. Special thanks to Lyn C. Miller, of the Association of Native Child & Family Service Agencies of Ontario (ANCFSA) for collecting and summarizing portions of this review when her own workload with the ANCFSA was quite busy. Meegwetch to Cindy Blackstock of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada for her unwavering support and assistance in providing additional comments, writing and editing skills which proved to be immensely helpful in pulling this publication together. This literature review is one product of many based upon the collaborative agreements and efforts of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada through the First Nations Research Site, the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare , the Faculties of Social Work of the Universities of Manitoba and Toronto as well asthe Child Welfare League of Canada. Communication between these organizations is as important as it is necessary and reflects the interdependencies upon which Aboriginal nations historically depended and which continually guides in the global realities of our contemporary relationships today. The spirit of interdependency is embodied within this review and through our relationship with many organizations and individuals. We especially wish to acknowledge the financial assistance provided by Health Canada to the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare, which in turn, has been instrumental in assisting the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada in setting up the First Nations Research Site at the University of Manitoba. Meegwetch to all the individuals involved in these organizations for your help and faith in our abilities to complete this literature review! The Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare is one of five Centres of Excellence for Children's WellBeing funded by Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official policies of Health Canada. Researched , compiled & written by Marlyn Bennett; with additional writing and revisions provided by Cindy Blackstock , Executive Director, First Nations Child & Family

FAQs

Who compiled and wrote the literature review and annotated bibliography?

Marlyn Bennett compiled and wrote the work, with additional writing and revisions provided by Cindy Blackstock.

What acknowledgements are included in the document?

The document contains historical acknowledgements and contemporary acknowledgements recognizing survivors of residential schools and thanking multiple individuals and organizations for support.

How can readers obtain additional copies or contribute to the document?

Readers can contact the First Nations Research Site at the University of Manitoba for additional copies and are invited to submit additional comments, sources, and annotations to improve the living document over time.

Aug 21, 2026

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