Keeping the Promise The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Lived Experiences of First Nations Children and Youth Cindy Blackstock, Sarah Clarke, James Cullen, Jeffrey D’Hondt, Jocelyn Formsma April 2004 Copyright First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, 2004. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. Content Note The views expressed in this report are not necessarily those of Health Canada. 1 Honouring We honour the ancestors and Elders of the rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada who give us the strength, wisdom and perseverance needed to make Canada’s world fit for Aboriginal children and youth. Acknowledgements The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society acknowledges the efforts of Ms. Sarah Clarke, Dr. James Cullen, Mr. Jeffrey D’Hondt, and Jocelyn Formsa in preparing this important report. Special thanks to Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Branch for their generous support in making this report a reality. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Honouring......................................................................................................................2 Acknowledgements........................................................................................................2 ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................6 Scope and Terminology in Report................................................................................7 Issue........................................................................................................................8 Data.........................................................................................................................8 Policy......................................................................................................................8 Status ......................................................................................................................8 The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).....................................................14 Aboriginal Children: Awakening Canada’s Story ......................................................16 References.................................................................................................................24 CHAPTER ONE: POVERTY ....................................................................................25 Introduction...............................................................................................................25 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Articles .................................26 What we Know: Poverty and First Nations Children and Youth................................27 Summary...................................................................................................................39 Recommendations .....................................................................................................40 CHAPTER TWO: URBANIZATION.......................................................................44 Introduction...............................................................................................................44 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Articles .................................45 What We Know: Aboriginal Peoples in Urban Centres..............................................45 Reasons for Moving ..............................................................................................47 Employment and Housing .....................................................................................49 Family Structure....................................................................................................52 Gangs ....................................................................................................................54 Policy........................................................................................................................56 Policy Implementation...............................................................................................60 Summary...................................................................................................................62 Recommendations .....................................................................................................63 References.................................................................................................................66 CHAPTER THREE: SUBSTANCE MISUSE ...........................................................68 Introduction...............................................................................................................68 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Articles .................................68 What we Know about Substance Misuse and First Nations Youth .............................68 Contributing Factors to Substance Misuse .............................................................69 Treatment ..............................................................................................................74 Policy........................................................................................................................78 Summary...................................................................................................................82 Recommendations .....................................................................................................83 References.................................................................................................................86 CHAPTER FOUR: EDUCATION ............................................................................92 Introduction...............................................................................................................92 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child........................................94 What We Know about the Education of First Nations Children and Youth ................95 3 Drop out or Push out?............................................................................................95 Education and Children with Disabilities ...............................................................98 The Value of Cultural Ways of Knowing and Being ..............................................99 Affirming Elders as Teachers .............................................................................. 102 Curriculum .......................................................................................................... 103 Post Secondary .................................................................................................... 105 Supporting Parental Involvement in Education .................................................... 107 Summary................................................................................................................. 108 Policy...................................................................................................................... 109 Policy Implementation............................................................................................. 113 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 114 References............................................................................................................... 117 CHAPTER FIVE: YOUTH SUICIDE ..................................................................... 122 Introduction............................................................................................................. 122 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Articles ............................... 122 What we Know: Youth Suicide Amongst First Nations Youth................................. 123 Policy...................................................................................................................... 127 Policy Implementation............................................................................................. 131 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 133 References............................................................................................................... 137 CHAPTER SIX: ACCIDENTAL INJURY............................................................. 139 Introduction............................................................................................................. 139 United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child Articles ................................ 139 What we Know: First Nations Children and Accidental Injury................................. 140 Policy...................................................................................................................... 146 Policy Implementation............................................................................................. 148 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 150 CHAPTER SEVEN: CHILD WELFARE............................................................... 153 Introduction............................................................................................................