Jurisdiction and Funding Models for Aboriginal Child and Family Service Agencies

Aboriginal children occupy a unique position in the Canadian child welfare system. From a social perspective, Aboriginal families experience many disadvantages related to poverty and a history of discrimination. At the same time, the special rights and legal status of Aboriginal people are recognized in Canadian legislation, and government child welfare policies increasingly have provisions that give Aboriginal people control over child welfare services for Aboriginal children. This information sheet provides a brief overview of the various models of child and family services for Aboriginal peoples across Canada, with a special emphasis on models for First Nations peoples on reserves.