Publications on Reconciliation

FNCFCS

Reconciliation in Child Welfare: Relations Between Non-Aboriginal Child Welfare Agencies and the First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Tracy Engelking. Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies Journal. Fall 2009, Vol. 54, Number 4.

Reconciliation in Child Welfare: Touchstones of Hope for Indigenous Children, Youth, and Families
Cindy Blackstock, Terry Cross, John George, Ivan Brown, and Jocelyn Formsma. 2006.

Reconciliation in Child Welfare: Touchstones of Hope for Indigenous Children, Youth, and Families
Keynote address by Cindy Blackstock to the 24th Annual Conference of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. San Diego. April 3, 2006.

Social Development Partnerships Program Children and Families Component: Final Report
Caring Across the Boundaries: First Nations and Voluntary Sector Organizations Working Together to Improve the Social Well-Being of Children and Families
Prepared by: Andrea Auger, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, 2009.

Touchstones for Leadership : Bachelor or Master of Social Work Course
Cindy Blackstock, PhD, 2009. First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.

Touchstones for Leadership: Reconciliation in Indigenous Child Welfare
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and National Indian Child Welfare Association. 2008.

Touchstones for Youth: Reconciliation in Indigenous Child Welfare
Module 1
Module 2
Melanie Ferris and Tee Copenace. First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. 2009.

Wen:de: We are Coming to the Light of Day
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, 2005.

Other

Arsenault, Damien. Bellemare, Michel. Gravel, Richard et al. A Goal for the Common Good: A Goal we can Achieve by Working Together. Government of Quebec: Quebec, 2010.
This synthesis underlines the recommendations of the Comité consultative de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale. It is useful as a tool for developing future social policy in Quebec. The action plan includes far-reaching deliberations and innovative recommendations to guide the government and society towards a process to combat poverty. It sheds light on the priorities that have emerged throughout the Committee’s work since 2007.

Assembly of First Nations. Our Voice, Our Survey, Our Reality. First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey: Ottawa, January 2009.
This self-governing survey is nation-wide in scope and specific to the health of First Nation populations. The cited data was collected in 2002-03 in 238 First Nations reserves and communities with more than 22,000 participants. The booklet provides a snapshot of the health and living conditions in these areas, using charts, graphs, tables, photos and quick fact boxes. It highlights results from the First Nation Regional Longitudinal Health Survey and includes three questionnaires designed for adults, youth and children.

Bloomfield, D. Barnes, T. and Huyse, L. eds. “Reconciliation After Violent Conflict.” Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Stockholm: 2003.
This handbook contains a collection of practical tools, presented with their strengths and weaknesses, to be used in addressing a reconciliation process, applicable on an international scale. It is recommended to assist policy makers, civil society actors and academia. It also provides comparative analysis, information and insights from experts, politicians and civil society leaders, including a foreword by archbishop emeritus, Desmond Tutu. These lessons from experience consider the victims, offenders and instruments involved at the core of the reconciliation process. The book is exemplified by case studies from Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, South Africa and Guatemala. It touches briefly on the model of restorative justice being integrated into Aboriginal programs in Canada. It also cites the Canadian Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples as an example of a government-established inquiry as a measure towards reconciliation. Related organizations and website links are compiled in the Annex.

Borris, E. “Forgiveness, Social Justice and Reconciliation,” University of Melbourne. Melbourne: July, 1997.
This paper discusses the spiritual and psychological aspects of forgiveness, as a complex act of consciousness. It introduces five points regarding the meaning of forgiveness, along with the cognitive, affective and behavioural strategies involved. The work is illustrated by a case study on the six stages of developmental progression from revenge to love. This work examines fundamental concepts key to the facilitation of true justice, making it a valuable read for both the injured and the injurer involved in a reconciliation process.

British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. Indigenous Child at the Centre Action Plan. British Columbia, January, 2008.
This document serves as a collective vision for a strategic action plan to address issues faced by First Nations children and families. The information is organized by historical, international, funding and political contexts. It highlights such initiatives as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Jordan’s Principle. It identifies six goals, each with defined action items and desired outcomes.

Butler-Jones, David. The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada: Ottawa, 2009.
This report focuses on the current health and well-being of children in Canada under the age of 12. It considers historical efforts made to help children grow up well, highlights successes and identifies where further action is needed, setting trajectories for lifelong health. In this annual edition, Butler-Jones focuses on how childhood experiences impact health over the life course. He mentions that inequalities are evident particularly among children who are Aboriginal. The work also cites positive examples that demonstrate how Aboriginal communities are creating conditions for good health, such as Aboriginal Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program, Head Start Program and Eel Ground First Nation School. It is intended to generally inform Canadians about various factors that contribute to establishing and maintaining good health and recommended for parents, teachers, caregivers, health professionals and decision-makers.

Cameron, Gary and Coady, Nick, eds. Moving Toward Positive Systems of Child and Family Welfare. Wilfred Laurier University Press: Waterloo, 2007.
The papers in this volume provide a general description and critique of Canadian child and family welfare systems. The authors examine child welfare drawing on a variety of perspectives and international comparisons to enrich their considerations for future steps. They present possibilities for innovation in Canadian child welfare, extrapolating from literature reviews and original research. Readers will find each chapter can be used for different purposes, containing enough contextual information to be useful as a separate resource. One chapter is specific to Aboriginal child welfare. Dr. Cindy Blackstock (FNCFCS) et al provides a comprehensive analysis of First Nations experiences with child welfare in Canada. They examine funding models, service delivery and illustrative visions for respectful caring models of child welfare developed by Aboriginal populations.

Canadian Paediatric Society Are We Doing Enough?
A status report on Canadian public policy and child and youth health, 2009.

Castellano, M. Archibald, L. and DeGangné, M. From Truth to Reconciliation: Transforming the Legacy of Residential Schools. Aboriginal Healing Foundation: Ottawa, 2008.
This collection of 21 papers from a cross section of dedicated authors points to the social change needed to support reconciliation. Each of the papers is introduced with an author biography and summary of themes. Historical components, a breakdown of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and an overview of the role of truth and reconciliation commissions provide comprehensive background, making this document useful for Truth and Reconciliation commissioners. Also contained in the work are reflections made by Aboriginal youth and proposals for new understanding of treaties. One chapter on child welfare in Canada is authored by Dr. Cindy Blackstock (FNCFCS).

Chapman, A. “Truth Commissions as Instruments of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Region, Public Policy and Conflict Transformation. Templeton Foundation Press: Pennsylvania, 2001.
This book chapter highlights scientific work in forgiveness studies of practitioners working with religion, public policy and conflict transformation. It outlines qualities of practices that lead to reconciliation and investigates the role of truth commissions as a means towards forgiveness. The author presents interpretations of forgiveness and lists her requirements for reconciliation. She concludes that bodies such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa are useful in aiding a society with coming to terms with its past. While not specific to the Aboriginal experience in Canada, the book introduces concepts that are applicable to their communities.

Cross, Terry L., M.S.W., Cultural Competence Continuum, 1988.

A Draft Charter of the Rights of the Maori Child. Te Komako: New Zealand, August 2002.
This document is printed in English and Maori language. It is based on two years of consultation and development with health and educational provider groups. It lists and explains fundamental principles, ethos and children’s rights based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

de la Rey, C. “Reconciliation in Divided Societies.” Peace, Conflict, and Violence: Peace Psychology for the 21st Century. Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2001.
This book chapter identifies the defining features of contemporary conflicts across the globe. It discusses the preconditions for a relational concept of reconciliation, mapping its meaning as a process and outcome. The author offers an international perspective on key elements, themes, theories, and practices that are critical to reconciliation. This is a useful resource that integrates current research with historical cases, frequently citing instances in South Africa. It is rooted in psychology and is accessible to undergraduate-level students.

Hodgkin, Rachel and Newell, Peter. Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. United Nations Publications: New York, 2007.
This extensive 800 page handbook is intended for use as a practical tool for implementation by governments, UNICEF, UN agencies, NGOs, human rights institutions and academics to guide them on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The implications of each article in the Convention is explained and illustrated in this fully revised third edition, which includes a CD ROM. Each article is structured to include detailed consideration of the background and implications of individual elements of the article. Appendices include the full texts of the convention on the Rights of the Child, a guide to UN-related agencies and a concluding implementation checklist. This handbook is meant to be widely used by all those involved in promoting the fullest possible implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

HR Council. “Mission Driven.” Ottawa, 2009.
This bilingual document sets the context for a new strategic direction for the non-profit sector’s approach to its labour force. It accomplishes this by assessing where the non-profit sector stands today. It details what their sector provides – activities; a sense of identity; community support; environmental innovation; and transition into the labour force. The report also denotes the keys to building a sustainable labour force, which include: attracting the people organizations need; benefitting from the full range of talent; focusing on research and development; promoting value of work in sector; and ensuring financial resources to sustain the force.

HR Council. “Toward a Labour Force Strategy for Canada’s Voluntary & Non-profit Sector (3).” Ottawa, 2009.
This bilingual strategic document identifies trends and demands in the non-profit sector. It aims to build and share knowledge; promote good human resources practices; and foster training and learning opportunities. The Council identifies challenges facing the labour force and puts forward five recommendations to off-set these problems by providing context on the issues and strategic actions. It is recommended for use by stakeholders, employers and employees to develop their understanding of the sector and its human resources needs. The document does not present an Aboriginal-oriented perspective and is not specific to Aboriginal organizations.

Kraybill, R. “From Head to Heart: The Cycle of Reconciliation.” Theology of Conflict: Training Manual for Conflict Transformation Skills. Mennonite Conciliation Service: Akron, 1988.
This brief article is intended for training mediators for community, religious, and institutional conflict intervention. The manual compares “head reconciliation” (conscience and values) with “heart reconciliation” (emotions). It provides a comprehensive cycle of reconciliation as a process that unfolds in stages over time. This includes, in detail: open relationship, injury, withdrawal, self-awareness, internal commitment, act of risk.

Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child & Family Social Sector. “Annual Report Annual General Meeting at St. Mary’s First Nation.” British Columbia, 2008.
The beginning of the report is practical for persons outside of the organization, outlining the values that guide the KKCFSS’s work in the Ktunaxa Nation territory in south-eastern British Columbia. Their core responsibility is delivering Aboriginal family support services in a culturally relevant manner. Proceeding the roles and functions, the document mostly consists of informal personal messages from staff, including greetings, reflections and offers of thanks. This serves to keep people within the organization up-to-date, but is not designed for informational purposes for persons outside of the organization.

Mackay, Sharon, Fuchs, Don and Brown, Ivan eds. Passion for Action in Child and Family Services: Voices from the Prairies. Canadian Plains Research Centre Press: Regina, 2009.
This volume includes a foreword by British Columbia’s Representative for Children and Youth. The essays represent a selection of presentations from a 2007 symposium in Regina, which emphasized the importance of sharing information about successful initiatives for at-risk children. Taken as a whole, the book advocates strengthening education, training, policy, service delivery and research to assist children and families ranging from across the prairies and Northwest Territories. It is recommended for university educators, government and First Nations training and service delivery administrators.

Milloy, John S., How Do Bad Things Happen When Good People Have Good Intentions? Reconciliation Event, Panel Presentation, October 26, 2005.

Richard, Bernard. Hand-in-Hand: A Review of First Nations Child Welfare in New Brunswick. Office of the Ombudsman and Child and Youth Advocate. Fredericton, February 2010.
This review presents 93 recommendations regarding child welfare services provided in New Brunswick’s fifteen First Nations communities. It is aimed towards each level of government and calls upon all residents of the province to strive for equal opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people alike. It analyzes the situation of child welfare services in Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities, from a social, economic and cultural context.

The report offers a voice to First Nations youth, their families, community leaders and service providers. It is fused with passages from Mi’kmaq Creation Stories; illustrations of lives improved by child welfare agencies; and poignant case studies, such as the legacy of Jordan River Anderson. It is also inclusive of tables displaying child welfare service delivery models. The appendix contains a roadmap for implementing the report’s recommendations. It is intended for all governments and lays out targets to be achieved between June 2010 and April 2011.

The report is commended for looking beyond the provision of better services in individual child welfare cases by making recommendations aimed at preventing these kinds of cases from arising in the first place – what can be done to improve the underlying determinants of child welfare, including recreational activities, household income, dependency issues, and linguistic and cultural identity. Moreover, this section focuses on finding solutions to combat addictions, reducing domestic violence and preserving and promoting First Nations languages.

Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health. “I Belong Here: A Framework to Promote the Healthy Development of Urban Aboriginal Children 6-12 Years.” Ottawa, 2008.
The publication serves to alert service providers and community members of the many issues affecting urban Aboriginal children. It advocates for a partnership between urban Aboriginal peoples and organizations to address some of the challenges facing them. It explains how Aboriginal culture provides the framework for the development of community programs that are accessible, and responsive to the needs of children 6-12 years old. To best meet these needs, the document relies on the four aspects outlined in the medicine wheel teaching – spiritual, emotional, physical and mental. It further includes practical recommendations for policies and community-based activities and selected facts related to health, income, social conditions, etc.

Worthington, E. “Unforgiveness, Forgiveness and Reconciliation and Their Implications for Societal Interventions.” Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Region, Public Policy and Conflict Transformation. Templeton Foundation Press: Pennsylvania, 2001.
This book chapter is recommended for public policy makers and leaders of faith communities and non-profit organizations. It discusses conflict resolution from a social science and spiritual approach, raising questions about the need to forgive or find healing. It offers an analysis of the relationship between forgiveness and reconciliation from a theological perspective. The author suggests ways of reducing “unforgiveness,” clarifies terminology and alerts the reader to a growing field of scientific work in forgiveness studies.

Please also see www.reconciliationmovement.org for further resources on reconciliation.

For more information about any of the FNCFCS documents, please contact the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society at info@fncaringsociety.com or (613) 230-5885.