Skip to main content
Indigenous Family

Supporting Indigenous Children, Youth and Families

 

The child welfare system has played a significant role in the ongoing impacts of colonization, including the legacy of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and other government policies that disrupted Indigenous families, communities, and cultures. These impacts continue to contribute to the overrepresentation of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth in child welfare today.

 

At Peel Children's Aid Society, we are committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation by building respectful, collaborative, and accountable relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations. Through meaningful engagement, early consultation, and culturally responsive practice, we strive to support Indigenous children, youth, and families in ways that honour their identities, cultures, traditions, rights, and inherent strengths.

 

We respectfully acknowledge that Peel Region is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We value our relationship with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and remain committed to working together in a spirit of partnership, mutual respect, and reconciliation. Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, we continue to strengthen our practices, support Indigenous self-determination, and improve outcomes for Indigenous children, youth, and families.

 

We are grateful for the opportunity to continue learning alongside Indigenous communities and to strengthen these relationships through listening, collaboration, and shared responsibility. We recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and we remain committed to walking alongside Indigenous partners in ways that are respectful, meaningful, and guided by community voices. Together, we strive to strengthen families, support early intervention and prevention whenever possible, and ensure Indigenous children and youth remain connected to their families, cultures, and communities.

 

Our Truth and Reconciliation work is guided by ongoing collaboration with Indigenous partners, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community organizations. These relationships help shape culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and community-led services that reflect the unique strengths, needs, and voices of Indigenous children, youth, and families.

 

The Indigenous Network

Peel CAS is proud to partner with The Indigenous Network (TIN), Peel Region's local Indigenous organization, to provide culturally responsive supports for Indigenous children, youth, and families. Through this partnership, families can access an Indigenous Cultural Navigator who provides advocacy, cultural connections, service navigation, referrals to community resources, and support throughout their child welfare journey.

 

Together, we work to strengthen cultural identity, build community connections, and ensure Indigenous families have access to culturally safe, meaningful, and community-based supports that promote family well-being, resilience, and belonging.

 

Traditional Conflict Resolution

We also partner with Aboriginal Legal Services to offer Traditional Conflict Resolution Circles, which honour Indigenous approaches to family healing, relationship building, prevention, and collaborative decision-making.

 

Community Partners

We are proud to work alongside Indigenous communities and organizations to provide services that honour culture, strengthen family and community connections, support self-determination, and promote the safety, well-being, and belonging of Indigenous children, youth, and families.

 

To learn more about our community partners, please visit: