CECW Information Sheet #66E. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto, Faculty of Social Work.
The overrepresentation of First Nations children reported to child welfare in Canada is well documented however the precise reason why it exists is not as clear. This information sheet is based on the Mesnmimk Wasatek report, prepared under contract to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, that compares children of First Nations heritage with non-Aboriginal children included in the CIS-2003 in an effort to better understand some of the factors contributing to the over-representation of First Nations children in the child welfare system in Canada.
The final sample included 11,500 investigations for children, 0–15 years of age in Canada excluding Quebec. The following analysis is based on a weighted sample and the incidence rates are estimates based on population estimates prepared by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. For further information regarding how these estimates were calculated please refer to the Mesnmimk Wasatek report.