58b6f83459a63685dc181baf9c25e445723e2a21.pdf

content: STATEMENT OF NATIVE INDIAN CONCERNS RE: CHILD WELFARE SERVICES IN B R I T I S H COLUMBIA C o m p i l e d f o r D e p a r t m e n t o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s and N o r t h e r n Development A u g u s t 1980 INTRODUCTION In a t t e m p t i n g t o a d d r e s s t h e many i s s u e s s u r r o u n d i n g t h e p r o v i s i o n and d e l i v e r y s y s t e m o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s e r v i c e s i n t h e B.C. R e g i o n , t h e R e g i o n a l O f f i c e , D.I.A.N.D., i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e S o c i a l P o l i c y A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e and s e l e c t e d D i s t r i c t / T r i b a l C o u n c i l r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , f a c i l i t a t e d t h e h i r i n g o f an I n d i a n r e s e a r c h e r f o r a f i v e month p e r i o d t o c o n s u l t w i t h a s many I n d i a n o r g a n i z a t i o n s , g r o u p s and i n d i v i d u a l s a s p o s s i b l e . The i n t e n t was t o g a i n an u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e v a r i o u s c o n c e r n s and i s s u e s r e g a r d i n g C h i l d W e l f a r e s e r v i c e s w h i c h were f e l t w i t h i n t h e I n d i a n community. T h i s r e p o r t r e p r e s e n t s t h e r e s u l t s o f t h i s c o n s u l t a t i o n p r o c e s s . I t r e f l e c t s t h e c o n c e r n s w h i c h I n d i a n p e o p l e have e x p r e s s e d r e g a r d i n g p r e s e n t s e r v i c e s and i n c l u d e s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f o r c h a n g e s t o e x i s t i n g p r o g r a m and s e r v i c e s . I t i s e x p e c t e d t h a t t h i s R e p o r t w i l l s e r v e a s a w o r k i n g document f o r u s e i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a p r o p o s e d s t u d y o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s e r v i c e s , and i n c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f c h a n g e s w h i c h m i g h t be made t o t h e d e s i g n and d e l i v e r y o f C h i l d W e l f a r e p r o g r a m s and s e r v i c e s t o e n s u r e t h e y more a d e q u a t e l y meet t h e needs and a s p i r a t i o n s o f I n d i a n p e o p l e . M.C. B e n n e t t R e g i o n a l Manager S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t D.I.A.N.D. A u g u s t , 1980. Acknowledgments I w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k t h e s t a f f o f t h e H e a l t h and S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t P o r t f o l i o o f t h e UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS for a s s i s t i n g i n t h e g a t h e r i n g o f t h e m a t e r i a l and p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e r e p o r t and f o r t h e r e s o u r c e s t h e y p u t a t my d i s p o s a l . Fay B l a n e y June 30, 1980. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. B a c k g r o u n d o f S t u d y 1 Terms o f R e f e r e n c e o f C o - o r d i n a t o r 2 L e t t e r t o A l l P r o v i n c i a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s , D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l s , Band S o c i a l D e v e l o p - ment W o r k e r s and C h i e f s and C o u n c i l l o r s i n t r o d u c i n g C o - o r d i n a t o r . 3 L i s t o f Bands and O r g a n i z a t i o n s met w i t h . 4 Terms o f R e f e r e n c e f o r C h i l d W e l f a r e S t u d y . 7 R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o t h e C o m m i t t e e f o r C o n s i d e r a t i o n . 13 A p p e n d i x I - F i f t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y and C h i l d r e n ' s Law. P a r t I I - The S t a t u s o f C h i l d r e n B o r n t o U n m a r r i e d P a r e n t s . Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . M a r c h , 1 9 7 5 . 16 A p p e n d i x I I - F i f t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y and C h i l d r e n ' s Law. P a r t I I I - C h i l d r e n ' s R i g h t s . Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . M a r c h , 1975. 25 A p p e n d i x I I I - F i f t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y a n d C h i l d r e n ' s Law. P a r t V - The P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n . ( C h i l d C a r e ) Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . M a r c h , 1 9 7 5 . 27 A p p e n d i x I V - T e n t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y a n d C h i l d r e n Law. N a t i v e F a m i l i e s a n d t h e Law. Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . May, 1 9 7 5 . 34 Appendix V - Band Social Workers Con- ference. September, 1977. 39 A p p e n d i x V I - P o s i t i o n P a p e r o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a N a t i v e Women's S o c i e t y . 51 B i b l i o g r a p h y 63 - 1 - Background t o t h e Study D i s c u s s i o n s r e g a r d i n g a " C h i l d W e l f a r e S t u d y " i n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a have been underway s i n c e November, 1979. The o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t h a v e p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e s e d i s c u s s i o n s a r e t h e : U n i o n o f B.C. I n d i a n C h i e f s The A l l i a n c e N a t i v e B r o t h e r h o o d o f B.C. N a t i v e S i s t e r h o o d o f B.C. B.C. N a t i v e Women's S o c i e t y I n d i a n Homemaker's A s s o c i a t i o n o f B.C. G i t s k a n - C a r r i e r T r i b a l C o u n c i l N o r t h C o a s t D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l P r i n c e G e o r g e L a k e s D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l and: D.I.A.N.D. B . C . R e g i o n a l O f f i c e , P r o g r a m E v a l u a t i o n B r a n c h , O t t a w a . A t a m e e t i n g i n J a n u a r y , 1980 w i t h a l l o f t h e s e o r g a n i z a t i o n s , a number o f i m p o r t a n t p o i n t s w e r e a g r e e d u p o n . A) P o l i t i c s among t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o u l d be s e t a s i d e so t h a t a s t u d y c o u l d be c a r r i e d o u t t o t h e b e n e f i t o f I n d i a n c h i l d r e n i n B.C. B) The U n i o n o f B.C. I n d i a n C h i e f s w o u l d be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r h i r i n g a c o o r d i n a t o r f o r a one month p e r i o d . T h i s w o u l d be done i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s and w i t h t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t t h e c o o r d i n a t o r w o u l d be w o r k i n g f o r a l l t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s . C) The c o o r d i n a t o r t a s k o v e r t h e n e x t month i s t o c o n t a c t as many c o n c e r n e d I n d i a n o r g a n i z a t i o n s and i n d i v i d u a l s as p o s s i b l e t o d e t e r m i n e w h a t t h e y f e e l s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d i n t h e t e r m s o f r e f e r e n c e o f t h e s t u d y . D) When t h e c o o r d i n a t o r has c o m p l e t e d t h i s t a s k she w i l l p r e s e n t a r e p o r t t o a l l t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s . T h i s r e p o r t w i l l s e r v e a s t h e b a s i s f o r t h e s t u d y . - 2 - TERMS OF REFERENCE COORDINATOR - CHILD WELFARE STUDY A) The c o o r d i n a t o r w i l l a c t u n d e r t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e H e a l t h and S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t P o r t f o l i o o f t h e U.B.C.I.C. 3) The m a i n r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e c o o r d i n a t o r w i l l be t o c o m p i l e a l i s t o f t e r m s of r e f e r e n c e f o r t h e S t u d y by c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h a l l i n t e r e s t e d p a r t i e s . C) The c o n s u l t a t i o n w i l l be h e l d w i t h : i . A l l P r o v i n c i a l I n d i a n o r g a n i z a t i o n s i i . A l l D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l s iii. A n y Band t h a t i s e x p e r i e n c i n g a h i g h r a t e o f c h i l d a p p r e h e n s i o n . i v . A n y Band t h a t w i s h e s i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h e s t u d y . v. E m p h a s i s t o be p l a c e d on c o n s u l t a t i o n i n t h e n o r t h and i s o l a t e d a r e a s o f t h e P r o v i n c e . D) The c o o r d i n a t o r w i l l f i l e a w e e k l y p r o g r e s s r e p o r t w i t h t h e C o o r d i n a t o r o f t h e H e a l t h a n d S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t P o r t f o l i o . E) The c o o r d i n a t o r w i l l p r e s e n t t h e t e r m s o f r e f e r e n c e i n f i n a l f o r m t o t h e C h i l d W e l f a r e Study C o m m i t t e e . - 3 - J a n u a r y 28, 1980 TO: A L L PROVINCIAL ORGANIZATIONS P A R T I C I P A T I N G IN THE CHILD WELFARE STUDY ALL DISTRICT COUNCILS ALL BAND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WORKERS ALL CHIEFS AND COUNCILLORS RE: CHILD WELFARE STUDY T h i s l e t t e r i s t o i n t r o d u c e F a y B l a n e y who h a s been h i r e d as c o o r d i n a t o r f o r t h e C h i l d W e l f a r e S t u d y f o r a one month p e r i o d . A l t h o u g h she w i l l be w o r k i n g u n d e r t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e H e a l t h a n d S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t P o r t f o l i o o f t h e U n i o n o f B.C. I n d i a n C h i e f s , s h e h a s been h i r e d on b e h a l f o f a l l t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t a r e p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e s t u d y . Her t a s k o v e r t h e n e x t month w i l l be t o g a t h e r y o u r i d e a s or. what t h e C h i l d W e l f a r e S t u d y s h o u l d be a l l a b o u t , and p u t them i n t o a r e p o r t f o r i m p l e m e n t a t i o n by t h e s t u d y c o m m i t t e e as t h e t e r m s o f r e f e r e n c e . She may be c o n t a c t e d a t t h e U n i o n o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a I n d i a n C h i e f s o f f i c e and i s p r e p a r e d t o t r a v e l a n y w h e r e i n t h e p r o v i n c e t o meet. We hope t h a t a l l t h o s e who h a v e i d e a s on t h e C h i l d W e l f a r e S t u d y w i l l p r e s e n t them t o M i s s F a y B l a n e y . Y o u r s t r u l y , UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS J u l i e Newman, C o o r d i n a t o r HEALTH & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT JN /ms - 4 - BANDS AND ORGANIZATIONS MET WITH - Native Brotherhood - Jim White - January 29, 1980. - Native Courtworkers - Wayne Bobb - January 31, 1980. - Native Women's Society - Mildred Gottfriedson (President, February 5, 1980. Bonaparte Band - Elaine Herbert (Chairperson - Family Welfare Committee) February 5, 1980. Gitksan-Carrier Tribal Council - Joe Foster (Band Social W o r k e r ) J a c k W r i g h t , ( A s s i s t a n t Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) F e b r u a r y 7 & 12, 1 9 8 0 . N o r t h C o a s t D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l - V e r n e J a c k s o n ( W e l f a r e A d m i n i s t r a t o r f o r K i t k a t l a Band) H e l e n C l i f t o n ( W e l f a r e A d m i n i s t r a t o r and C o u n c i l l o r f o r H a r t l e y Bay Band) M a i r S t u a r t (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r f o r M a s s e t t ) F e b r u a r y 1 3 , 1 9 8 0 . D e s o l u t i o n Sound T r i b a l C o u n c i l - E l s i e P a u l , Anne G a l l a g h e r (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r s ) F e b r u a r y 22, 1 9 8 0 . O s o y o o s Band - M r s . B r y s o n (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) F e b r u a r y 26, 1 9 8 0 . S i m i l k a m e e n 3 a n d - M r s . T e r b a s k e t (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) F e b r u a r y 2 6 , 1 9 8 0 . C o w i c h a n Band - F a y G r i f f i t h (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) and two F i n a n c i a l A i d e W o r k e r s , F e b r u a r y 2 8 , 1 9 8 0 . C o q u a l e e t z a W o r k s h o p - R e p r e s e n t a t i v e f r o m C o q u a l e e t z a F r i e n d s h i p C e n t r e , F i s h L a k e F r i e n d s h i p C e n t r e , N i c o l a B a n d , B e l l a C o o l a B a n d , F e b r u a r y 6, 1 9 8 0 . - N u u - C h a h - N u l t h T r i b a l C o u n c i l - G e o r g e W a t t s (Band M a n a g e r f o r S h e s h a h t Band) F e b r u a r y 6, 1 9 8 0 . L a k e s D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l - N i c k P r i n c e ( D i s t r i c t C h a i r m a n ) a n d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m o t h e r Bands o f t h i s D i s t r i c t , M a r c h 7, 1980. - 5 - - N i c o l a V a l l e y - L e n M a r c h a n d (Band M a n a g e r ) E r i c h B r u i t k r u z (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) R o b e r t S t e r l i n g ( C o u n c i l l o r and E d u c a t i o n R e s e a r c h e r ) M a r c h 10, 1 9 8 0 . S t o n e y C r e e k Band - M a b e l L u g g i (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r and member o f t h e C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e ) A l i c e W u t t u n e e , D o r i s Thomas (Home S c h o o l C o o r d i n a t o r ) S o p h i e Thomas ( D i s t r i c t V i c e P r e s i d e n t ) S u s a n P r i n c e (Community H e a l t h R e p r e s e n t a t i v e and member o f t h e C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e ) M a r c h 1 3 , 19 80. - A l k a l i L a k e Band - S t e v e n B e l l e a u (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) C h a r l e n e B e l l e a u ( T r i b a l C o u n c i l A d m i n i s t r a t o r ) M a r c h 17, 1980 . C a n i m L a k e Band - C h a r l o t t e C h r i s t o p h e r (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r ) M a r c h 1 7 , 1980. B.C. N a t i v e Women's S o c i e t y - M i l d r e d G o t t f r i e d s o n ( P r e s i d e n t ) and r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m N i c o l a V a l l e y , L i l l o o e t , L y t t o n , B o n a p a r t e , K a m l o o p s . A l s o p r e s e n t w e r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e N a t i v e C o u r t w o r k e r s and t h e M i n i s t r y o f Human R e s o u r c e s . A p r i l 1 2 , 1980. B e l l a Coola Band - I n a t t e n d a n c e w e r e t h e i r Band S o c i a l W o r k e r , C o m m u n i t y H e a l t h R e p r e s e n t a t i v e , P u b l i c H e a l t h N u r s e , Band M a n a g e r , A l c o h o l and D r u g C o u n c i l l o r , Home-School C o o r d i n a t o r , and a H e r e d i t a r y C h i e f C o u n c i l l o r . A p r i l 24, 1980. L a k e s D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l - A l i c e W u t t u n e e ( W e l f a r e A d m i n i s t r a t o r and C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e Member) G e o f f r e y Thomas ( C h i e f o f S t o n e y C r e e k Band) M i n n i e Thomas (Band M a n a g e r o f S t o n e y C r e e k Band and C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e member) S o p h i e Thomas ( C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e E l d e r Member) J u n e M o i s e ( Y o u t h w o r k e r , N e s o s l i e ) Nancy Tom ( C h i l d C a r e W o r k e r , T a c h e ) Benny J o s e p h ( W e l f a r e A d m i n i s t r a t o r , T a c h e ) H e l e n A n t o i n e ( N e s c o s l i e ) Susan C r o o k e s ( N e s c o s l i e ) A i l e e n P r i n c e ( N e s c o s l i e ) V i o l e t P r i n c e ( W e l f a r e A i d e , N e c o s l i e ) M a r y J o h n ( E l d e r , S t o n e y C r e e k ) E l l e n S t a n l e y ( S t o n e y C r e e k ) M a b e l L u g g i (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r , Vander¬ hoof) C e c i l e K e t l o (MHR W o r k e r , N a u t l e y , A l i c e C a b r a l (MHR W o r k e r , S t e l l a q u o ) M i c h e l l e Demers (MHR S o c i a l W o r k e r , F o r t S t . James) Anne Albert (MHR S o c i a l W o r k e r , F o r t S t . James) May 6, 1 9 8 0 . - 6 - - M i s s i o n F r i e n d s h i p C e n t r e - B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s M e e t i n g May 13, 1 9 8 0 . K o o t e n a y I n d i a n A r e a C o u n c i l - S o p h i e P i e r r e ( C h i e f S t . Mary's Band a n d C o o r d i n a t o r o f K o o t e n a y I n d i a n A r e a C o u n c i l , Mary 3 a z i i ( C o u n c i l l o r , L o w e r K o o t e n a y ) X a v i e r Eugene (Coun- c i l l o r , Shuswap 3 a n d a n d D i s t r i c t R e p r e s e n t a t i v e ) F l o r e n c e A l e x a n d e r (Community H e a l t h R e p r e s e n t a t i v e a n d C o u n c i l l o r f o r S t . M a r y ' s Band) C h r i s L u k e ( C h i e f L o w e r K o o t e n a y ) Dan G r a v e l l e ( C h i e f T o b a c c o P l a i n s Band) L o l a N i c h l a s ( C o l u m b i a Lake) May 16, 1 9 8 0 . A l l i a n c e C o n f e r e n c e - G l e n Newman (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r , S q u a m i s h Band a n d C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e member) E l s i e P a u l (Band S o c i a l W o r k e r , S l i a m m o n Band) M i t z i B a k e r ( S q u a m i s h Band) M y r t l e P o i n t (Musqueam) S t e v e n Kozey ( C o n s u l t a n t , S q u a m i s h Band) a n d r e s p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m W e s t b a n k . May 2 2 , 1980. S p a l l u m c h e e n Band - C h i e f Wayne M. C h r i s t i a n a n d Band members. J u n e 1 9 , 2 0 , 1 9 8 0 . Lower P o s t - T e r r i Brown (Band Manager) G e o r g e M i l l e r ( P r e s - i d e n t U.N.N, l o c a l ) J o e L e a h H o p k i n s (Community D e v e l o p m e n t W o r k e r ) a n d o t h e r Band Members. May 2 3 , 24, 1 9 8 0 . N o r t h C o a s t D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l a n d G i t s k a n - C a r r i e r T r i b a l C o u n c i l - V e r n e J a c k s o n (Member o f C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e f o r N o r t h C o a s t D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l , J o e F o s t e r (Member o f C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e f o r G i t s k a n - C a r r i e r T r i b a l C o u n c i l ) a n d r e p r e s e n t - a t i v e s f r o m a l l Bands i n t h e s e two t r i b a l c o u n c i l s . J u n e 2 5 , 1 9 8 0 . - 7 - TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e e x a m i n e t h e L e g i s l a t i v e a g r e e m e n t s b e t w e e n t h e f e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t s i n c h i l d w e l f a r e m a t t e r s . 2 We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y a l l p r o v i n c i a l c h i l d and f a m i l y w e l f a r e s e r v i c e s ( i e . S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e , F a m i l y C o u r t , C h i l d r e n ' s A i d S o c i e t y , M i n i s t r y o f Human R e s o u r c e s ) . 3. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t - i g a t e how w e l l t h e s t a t u t o r y o b l i g a t i o n s o f t h e f e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t s a r e b e i n g f u l f i l l e d . 4. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e a u d i t t h e f i n a n c i a l a r r a n g e m e n t s b e t w e e n t h e f e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t s f o r s e r v i c e s t o I n d i a n c h i l d r e n . 5. We recommend t h a t c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e e x a m i n e t h e o p e r a t i o n a l m e t h o d s o f t h e p r o v i n c i a l s o c i a l s e r v i c e t a x and r e s o l v e why band members a r e p a y i n g f o r t h i s t a x b u t n o t r e c e i v i n g c h i l d c a r e s e r v i c e s f o r them. 6. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e t h e r e a s o n s why MHR i s m i s a p p r o p r i a t i n g t h e F a m i l y A l l o w a n c e s o f N a t i v e c h i l d r e n i n c a r e . 7. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e e x a m i n e t h e a u t h o r i t y and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f MHR S o c i a l W o r k e r s w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g q u e s t i o n s as g u i d e l i n e s : (a) What i s t h e d e c i s i o n m a k i n g p r o c e s s f o r c h i l d a p p r e h e n s i o n s ? Who makes t h e s e d e c i s i o n s and by w h i c h s t a n d a r d s ? (b) What a r e t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f t h e MHR S o c i a l o n c e a c h i l d h a s been a p p r e h e n d e d and p l a c e d i n a f o s t e r home? What a r e t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s t o t h e n a t u r a l p a r e n t s and t h e c h i l d ? How do t h e y m o n i t o r t h e f o s t e r home s i t u a t i o n ? I s t h e i r m o n i t o r i n g s y s t e m e f f e c t i v e . 8. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e e x a m i n e t h e t h e o r e t i c a l and a c t u a l p r o c e d u r e s o f c h i l d a p p r e h e n s i o n o f t h e p r o v i n c i a l a g e n c i e s who a d m i n i s t e r t h e s e s e r v i c e s t o s e e i f t h e y a r e c o n s i s t e n t . - 8 - 9. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e r e v i e w the e x i s t i n g Band C h i l d W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e s t o s e e i f t h e i r a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h MHR a r e a d h e r e d t o , i f t h e s e a r r a n g e - ments a r e e a s i l y b r o k e n and i f so what a r e t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h i s h a p p e n i n g , and who i s i n a u t h o r i t y t o make t h i s d e c i s i o n . 10. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e d e f i n e t h e r o l e s and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f t h e Band c o u n c i l , t h e Band members, and t h e MHR e m p l o y e e s i n m a t t e r s o f I n d i a n c h i l d w e l f a r e . 11. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e r e v i e w a l l p a s t and p r e s e n t I n d i a n c h i l d w e l f a r e c a s e s . 12. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e r e v i e w t h e I n d i a n c h i l d a p p r e h e n s i o n r a t e s w i t h t h e i n t e n t t o f i n d o u t why t h e y a r e h i g h e r t h a n o t h e r c h i l d r e n o f non-Indian d e s c e n t . 13. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e age g r o u p s i n w h i c h t h e h i g h e s t a p p r e h e n s i o n r a t e s o c c u r . 14. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e e f f e c t s o f a p p r e h e n s i o n o f t h e e d u c a t i o n o f t h e c h i l d r e n . 15. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e e x a m i n e t h e e x t e n t o f i n v o l v e m e n t o f Band c o u n c i l , b e f o r e , d u r i n g and a f t e r a p p r e h e n s i o n s . 16. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e d e g r e e o f I n d i a n p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n p o l i c y m a k i n g and a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f I n d i a n c h i l d w e l f a r e s e r v i c e s . 18. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e t h e number o f f a m i l y s u p p o r t w o r k e r s a t e a c h b a n d . 19. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y w h e t h e r t h e s e r v i c e s b e i n g p r o v i d e d t o N a t i v e I n d i a n f a m i l i e s t a k e c u l t u r a l d i f f e r e n c e s i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n when d e a l i n g w i t h them. - 9 - 2 0 . We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e p r o b e i n t o t h e p o s s i b l e r e m e d i e s f o r t h e d e p r i v a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l and e m o t i o n a l n o u r i s h m e n t o f N a t i v e I n d i a n c h i l d r e n who a r e p l a c e d i n n o n - I n d i a n homes. 2 1 . We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e compare I n d i a n c h i l d r e n who have b e e n p l a c e d i n n o n - I n d i a n f o s t e r o r a d o p t i v e homes o r i n s t i t u t i o n s t o t h o s e I n d i a n who h a v e been p l a c e d i n I n d i a n homes t o s e e i f t h e r e i s a d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e o v e r a l l d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e two g r o u p s . 22. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e t h e n o n - I n d i a n f o s t e r a n d a d o p t i v e homes t o s e e i f I n d i a n c h i l d r e n a r e b e i n g e x p o s e d t o t h e i r c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e . The c o m m i t t e e s h o u l d a l s o i n v e s t i g a t e what t h e b e s t means a r e o f g u a r a n t e e i n g t h a t I n d i a n c h i l d r e n i n n o n - I n d i a n f o s t e r o r a d o p t i v e homes a r e r a i s e d w i t h an a w a r e - n e s s o f t h e i r c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e . 2 3 . We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e w h e t h e r n o n - s t a t u s I n d i a n c h i l d r e n a r e t r e a t e d any d i f f e r - e n t l y t h a n s t a t u s c h i l d r e n b e f o r e a n d d u r i n g a p p r e h e n s i o n . 24. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e t h e b a c k g r o u n d o f a l l N a t i v e c h i l d r e n i n c a r e t o d e t e r m i n e what r i g h t s t h e y h a v e . 25. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e w h e t h e r N a t i v e c h i l d r e n a r e i n f o r m e d o f t h e i r s t a t u s and g i v e n an o p t i o n o f m a i n t a i n i n g i t a f t e r t h e y r e a c h t h e age o f m a j o r i t y . 2 6 . We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e w h e t h e r MHR i s r e c r u i t i n g and u t i l i z i n g I n d i a n f o s t e r and a d o p t i v e homes on and o f f r e s e r v e w i t h i n t h e T r i b a l g r o u p i n g o f t h e N a t i v e c h i l d i n q u e s t i o n . 27. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e t h e number o f I n d i a n f o s t e r and a d o p t i v e homes and day c a r e c e n t r e s , b o t h on and o f f r e s e r v e t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e t o I n d i a n c h i l d r e n . 28. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e h o u s i n g p r o b l e m on r e s e r v e t o d e t e r m i n e t o what d e g r e e i t p r e v e n t s N a t i v e f a m i l i e s f r o m f o s t e r i n g o r a d o p t i n g N a t i v e c h i l d r e n . - 1 0 - 29. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e f e a s i b i l i t y o f i m p l e m e n t i n g s u b s i d i z e d a d o p t i o n . 30. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r n o n - s t a t u s c h i l d r e n who a r e a d o p t e d by s t a t u s p a r e n t s s h o u l d a l s o h a v e s t a t u s . 31. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y a l l a d o p t i o n l a w s a n d p r o c e d u r e s . 32. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e e x a m i n e t h e p r o c e d u r e s i n i n f o r m i n g t h e bands o f t h e w h e r e a b o u t s o f t h e i r c h i l d r e n a f t e r a p p r e h e n s i o n a n d d e t e r m i n e w h a t t h e f l a w s a r e w i t h t h e c u r r e n t s y s t e m . 33. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e i n v e s t i g a t e how and i f p a r e n t s a r e b e i n g i n f o r m e d o f t h e i r r i g h t s when t h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e b e i n g a p p r e h e n d e d . 34. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y a l l p r e v e n t a t i v e a n d r e h a b i l i t a t i v e s e r v i c e s t h a t a r e a c c e s s - i b l e t o p a r e n t s o f c h i l d r e n who a r e e x p o s e d t o t h e r i s k o f b e i n g a p p r e h e n d e d , and e x a m i n e a l l t h e s t r e n g t h s a n d w e a k n e s s e s o f t h e s e p r o g r a m s . 35. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e p r o b l e m o f what i s b e i n g done f o r N a t i v e I n d i a n f a m i l i e s t o c o r r e c t t h e s i t u a t i o n b e f o r e t h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e a p p r e h e n d e d . 36. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e S c h o o l o f S o c i a l Work t o s e e i f t h e y f u l f i l l t h e t r a i n i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r d e a l i n g w i t h t h e c u l t u r a l d i f f e r e n c e s o f I n d i a n p e o p l e . 37. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e r e v i e w t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f a l t e r n a t i v e t r a i n i n g methods o f e d u c a t i n g B a n d S o c i a l W o r k e r s s o t h a t t h e y may a t t a i n a R.S.W. o r a B.S.W. d e g r e e . 38. We recommend t h a t t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e c o m m i t t e e s t u d y t h e CHILD I N THE HOME OF A RELATIVE (CIHR) p r o g r a m t o d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r i t i s a p e r m a n e n t f o s t e r home a n d i f s o w h e t h e r i t s h o u l d be r e v e r t e d t o t h e p r o v i n c i a l f o s t e r p a y m e n t s c a l e o r r a t e . -11- 3 9 . We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study a i l the p o l i c i e s and procedures of the CIHR program. 40. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study a l l problems encountered by the c l i e n t s of the CIHR program. 41. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee i n v e s t i g a t e the types o f s e r v i c e s t h a t are a v a i l a b l e t o c h i l d r e n and f a m i l i e s on the CIHR program and why these s e r v i c e s are not the same as those of the f o s t e r homes. 42. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee analyze the r i g i d i t y of the CIHR program t o see i f i t doesn't hinder the o r i g i n a l i n t e n t of h e l p i n g those i n need. 43. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee examine the e f f e c t and impact of the CIHR program on the t r a d i t i o n a l extended f a m i l y system. 44. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee examine a l l aspects of the t r a d i t i o n a l extended f a m i l y system. 45. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study the p h i l o s o p h i e s and teachings of our e l d e r s so t h a t Indian adoption laws and other t r a d i t i o n a l techniques i n managing Indian c h i l d w e l f a r e may be made a v a i l a b l e to a l l Indian people. 46. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study the e f f e c t s of c l o s i n g the R e s i d e n t i a l schools on the education of Indian c h i l d r e n . F u r t h e r , we recommend t h a t the committee i n v e s t i g a t e the reasons why D.I.A. has not p r o v i d e d more funds f o r boarding homes to r e p l a c e R e s i d e n t - i a l s c h o o l . 47. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study the f e a s i b i l i t y o f t r a n s f e r r i n g the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f Indian c h i l d w e l f a r e from the p r o v i n c i a l government back to the Bands. 48. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committe study the f e a s i b i l i t y o f o r g a n i z i n g and a d m i n i s t e r i n g an on-reserve program i n which parents are s e l e c t e d and housing i s p r o v i d e d f o r f o s t e r homes, group homes and day care c e n t r e s . -12- 49. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study the f e a s i b i l i t y of forming a N a t i v e C h i l d r e n ' s A i d S o c i e t y f o r the p r o v i n c e o f B r i t i s h Columbia. 50. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee i n v e s t i g a t e the problem o f why MHR i s d i s c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r p r o v i s i o n of s p e c i a l s e r v i c e s on r e s e r v e s such as those on the Cowichan Reserve. 51. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee i n v e s t i g a t e the reason why the Family Resource c e n t r e of the Cowichan Rserve i s being c l o s e d . 52. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee i n v e s t i g a t e the s p e c i a l problems o f f o s t e r and a d o p t i v e parents i n i s o l a t e d a r e a s . 53. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study the success r a t e o f N a t i v e f a m i l i e s who a r e i n v o l v e d i n c o u r t cases t o g e t t h e i r c h i l d r e n back, but a r e unable to pay f o r good l e g a l c o u n s e l l i n g , and a r e f o r c e d to use the s e r v i c e s o f the L e g a l A i d S o c i e t y . 54. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee assess the r o l e o f the v o l u n t e e r worker i n c h i l d w e l f a r e problems and determine whether or not these workers a r e p r o p e r l y u t i l i z e d . 55. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee develop a s t r a t e g y f o r the encouragement o f v o l u n t e e r c h i l d w e l f a r e workers on r e s e r v e . 56. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee i n v e s t i g a t e the problem o f Canadian Native c h i l d r e n being apprehended i n the U.S. 57. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee study the problem o f s u i c i d e s amongst young I n d i a n people. 58. The B.C. N a t i v e Women's S o c i e t y recommends t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee adopt t h e i r p o s i t i o n paper as one of the major terms o f r e f e r e n c e . (Appendix VI) 59. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee take a l l c h i l d r e n o f N a t i v e descent i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n when any a s p e c t o f the study i s being d e a l t with because many I n d i a n c h i l d r e n r i g h t f u l l y possess s t a t u s but a r e being d e p r i v e d of i t when t h e y ' r e apprehended. -13- RE COMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION 1. The Bonaparte Band recommends t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee h i r e a Native person with a Bachelor of S o c i a l Work degree t o conduct the study. 2. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee p l a c e more p r i o r i t y on attempting to a c q u i r e the p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the p r o v i n c i a l agencies such as the MHR i n the s t u d y . 3. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee determine how i t i n t e n d s to deal with e x i s t i n g and a r i s i n g Indian c h i l d w e l f a r e problems w h i l e the study i s being c o n d u c t e d . 4. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee n o t i f y the B.C. A s s o c i a t i o n of S o c i a l Workers and ask t h e i r p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e s t u d y . 5. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee approach the N a t i v e Courtworkers and request t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e with c e r t a i n s t a g e s of the study. 6. The A l l i a n c e recommends t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee i n c l u d e the requested moritorium of the N a t i v e Brotherhood i n the s t u d y . 7. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee work c l o s e l y w i t h e x i s t i n g A l c o h o l and Drug Abuse Programs when conducting the s t u d y since t h i s forms a l a r g e p a r t of t h e problem of c h i l d w e l f a r e . 8. The B.C. Native Women's S o c i e t y recommends t h a t the study be - conducted over a f i v e - y e a r p e r i o d and that p r o g r e s s r e p o r t s be s e n t t o the N a t i o n a l Indian Brotherhood so t h a t they may c o n t r i b u t e where p o s s i b l e . 9. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee encourage and a s s i s t bands in forming C h i l d Welfare Committees comprising o f band c o u n c i l members, e l d e r s , Band S o c i a l Workers, Welfare A i d s , Home-School C o - o r d i n a t o r s , former wards o f the govern- ment, and any other i n t e r e s t e d band members. 10. We recommend that i n examining present Indian c h i l d welfare c a s e s , the r e c t i f i c a t i o n s be handled by C h i l d W e l f a r e Commit- t e e s from each band. 11. We recommend that the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee l o b b y D.I.A. t o fund Bands d i r e c t l y so t h a t they may resume r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e i r own c h i l d w e l f a r e concerns. -14- 12. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee urge a l l Indian people to promote the r e s t o r a t i o n o f the f a m i l y u n i t by any p o s s i b l e means, such as c o u n s e l l i n g s e r v i c e s , homemaker s e r v i c e s , A l c o h o l and Drug Abuse Programs. 13. We recommend t h a t i n cases where Indian homes are nor a v a i l a b l e , and only i n these cases, non-Indian parents should be approved and s u p e r v i s e d by bands concerned. These c h i l d r e n ' s c u l t u r e should be maintained through c u l t u r a l events and any other means. 14. We recommend t h a t more Family Support Workers, C h i l d Care Workers, F i n a n c i a l A s s i s t a n t Workers, and other t r a i n e d personnel be p r o v i d e d f o r Bands, so t h a t they may begin working i n the area o f p r e v e n t i o n b e f o r e problems occur. 15. We recommend t h a t , as an immediate s o l u t i o n , Indian people attempt t o e s t a b l i s h Native a d v i s o r s i n p o s i t i o n s with judges who make d e c i s i o n s about apprehensions and placement of Indian c h i l d r e n . 16. We recommend t h a t , as an immediate s o l u t i o n , bands form a l i a i s o n committee t o correspond with non-Indian f o s t e r homes. 17. We recommend t h a t band s o c i a l workers be g i v e n the same a u t h o r i t y as MHR S o c i a l Workers and t h a t they be held no more l i a b l e f o r the consequences of t h e i r a c t i o n s than MHR workers p r e s e n t l y a r e . 18. We recommend t h a t s u b s i d i z e d adoption be put i n t o e f f e c t i n cases where Indian f a m i l i e s wish t o adopt but are f i n a n c i a l l y incapable o f doing so. 19. We recommend t h a t the c h i l d w e l f a r e committee c o n s i d e r the f o l l o w i n g suggestions about the e d u c a t i o n requirements of S o c i a l Workers. (a) Since most Schools o f S o c i a l Work programs are not o r i e n t e d toward h e l p i n g students t o cope with C u l t u r a l d i f f e r e n c e o f Native people, we recommend t h a t a program s i m i l a r t o N.I.T.E.P. be put i n t o e f f e c t for Indian S o c i a l Work Students. (b) There are programs a l r e a d y i n e x i s t e n c e whereby Band S o c i a l Workers attend school f o r X number of days per month which would e v e n t u a l l y lead to a B.S.W. degree. T h i s should be i n t r o d u c e d i n o t h e r areas. - 1 5 - (c) A c o n c e n t r a t e d , s h o r t - t e r m p r o g r a m s h o u l d be a r r a n g e d f o r Band S o c i a l W o r k e r s so t h a t t h e y need o n l y l e a v e t h e i r work once b e f o r e a t t a i n i n g a B.S.W. d e g r e e . (d) Workshops and s e m i n a r s s h o u l d be a d m i n i s t e r e d on a r e g u l a r b a s i s s o t h a t t h e r e i s a c o n s t a n t e x c h a n g e of i d e a s and g r o w t h in k n o w l e d g e among Band S o c i a l Workers. -16- A p p e n d i x I F i f t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y and C h i l d r e n ' s Law P a r t I I - The S t u t u s o f C h i l d r e n B o r n t o U n m a r r i e d P a r e n t s Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s M a r c h 1975. -17- SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STATUS OF CHILDREN 1. Law r e f o r m s h o u l d p r o c e e d on t h e b a s i s o f g r a n t i n g e q u a l l e g a l s t a t u s t o a l l c h i l d r e n , w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e i r p a r e n t s a r e m a r r i e d . (page 9) 2. L e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d d e f i n e p r e s u m p t i o n s o f p a t e r n i t y w h i c h , by o p e r a t i o n o f l a w , w o u l d i d e n t i f y t h e f a t h e r - c h i l d r e l a t i o n s h i p f o r c h i l d r e n whose f a t h e r s have n o t b e e n a s c e r t a i n e d . (page 14) 3. An a d m i n i s t a t i v e p r o c e d u r e u n d e r t h e a u s p i c e s o f t h e D i r e c t o r o f v i t a l S t a t i s t i c s s h o u l d be e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t h e f o r m a l r e g i s t r a t i o n o f p a t e r n i t y . T h i s a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t w o u l d be p r o o f o f t h e f a t h e r - c h i l d r e l a t i o n s h i p f o r a l l l e g a l p u r p o s e s O n l y a j u d i c i a l f i n d i n g b a s e d on f r e s h e v i d e n c e c o u l d a l t e r t h i s a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t . (page 17) 4. I n f o r m a l a c t s o f a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t o f p a t e r n i t y s h o u l d have t h e s t a t u s o f p r i m a f a c i e e v i d e n c e i n an a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o r j u d i c i a l p r o c e e d i n g t o e s t a b l i s h p a t e r n i t y . T h e s e a c t s w o u l d have no g r e a t e r l e g a l s t a t u s u n l e s s t h e y gave r i s e t o a p r e s u m p t i o n o f p a t e r n i t y . (page 18) 5. A s i n g l e p r o c e d u r e i n P r o v i n c i a l C o u r t s h o u l d be a v a i l a b l e t o a m o t h e r , f a t h e r o r c h i l d who s e e k s a j u d g m e n t o f t h e c h i l d ' s p a t e r n i t y . The j u d g m e n t w o u l d be b i n d i n g on a l l f u t u r e s i t u a t i o n s where p a t e r n i t y i s an i s s u e . (page 19) 6. L e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d a b o l i s h t h e l e g a l s t a t u s o f i l l e g i t i m a c y by a s t a t e m e n t t h a t r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n e v e r y p e r s o n and h i s p a r e n t s s h a l l be d e t e r m i n e d w i t h o u t a n y t h i n g d e p e n d i n g upon w h e t h e r o r n o t h i s p a r e n t s h a v e b e e n m a r r i e d . (page 21). 7. I n a l l p r o c e e d i n g s a n d d i r e c t i o n s r e l a t i n g t o t h e e s t a b l i s h - ment o f a p e r s o n ' s p a t e r n i t y , t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c h i l d s h o u l d be t h e p a r a m o u n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n . (page 22) 8. T h e L e g i t i m a c y A c t a n d t h e C h i l d r e n o f U n m a r r i e d P a r e n t s A c t s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d a n d r e p l a c e d w i t h new l e g i s l a t i o n on p a r e n t a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r i g h t s a n d o b l i g a t i o n s . (page 24) 9. C o u r t p r o c e e d i n g s t o o b t a i n a d e c l a r a t i o n o f p a t e r n i t y s h o u l d be c i v i l i n n a t u r e . T h e r e s h o u l d be no l i m i t a t i o n p e r i o d f o r commencement o f s u c h p r o c e e d i n g s . (page 37) -13- 10. The r e s u l t s o f b l o o d t e s t s and a n t h r o p o l o g i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n s u n d e r t a k e n v o l u n t a r i l y s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o be a d m i s s i b l e i n e v i d e n c e i n d i s p u t e d p a t e r n i t y p r o c e e d i n g s . (page 39) 11. Upon t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f any p a r t y t o a c i v i l p r o c e e d i n g where p a t e r n i t y i s an i s s u e , t h e c o u r t s h o u l d h a v e t h e power t o d i r e c t t h a t t h e p a r t i e s t o t h e a c t i o n , t h e c h i l d and i t s m o t h e r s u b m i t t o b l o o d t e s t s . (page 39) 12. No s a m p l e o f b l o o d s h o u l d be t a k e n f r o m a p e r s o n u n d e r a d i r e c t i o n o f t h e c o u r t u n l e s s t h a t p e r s o n c o n s e n t s t o i t s b e i n g t a k e n o r , i f he i s i n c a p b a l e o f c o n s e n t i n g , u n l e s s c o n s e n t i s g i v e n i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g : ( i ) A c h i l d a g e d 16 o r o v e r s h o u l d be c a p a b l e o f g i v i n g a v a l i d c o n s e n t t o g i v i n g a s a m p l e o f b l o o d u n l e s s , i f o f f u l l age, he w o u l d n o t h a v e t h e c a p a c i t y t o c o n s e n t . ii) Where a c h i l d i s u n d e r t h e age o f 16 t h e c o n s e n t o f t h e p e r s o n h a v i n g c a r e and c o n t r o l o f him s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d . ( i i i ) I f a p e r s o n i s m e n t a l l y i n c a p a b l e o f g i v i n g a v a l i d c o n s e n t i t s h o u l d be i n o r d e r t o t a k e a b l o o d s a m p l e f r o m him i f t h e p e r s o n i n whose c a r e and c o n t r o l he i s c o n s e n t s and t h e m e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r u n d e r whose c a r e he i s c e r t i f i e s t h a t g i v i n g a s a m p l e w i l l n o t be p r e j u d i c i a l t o h i s p r o p e r c a r e o r t r e a t m e n t . (page 40) 13. Where a p e r s o n r e f u s e s t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e c o u r t ' s d i r e c t i o n t h e c o u r t s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o draw w h a t e v e r i n f e r e n c e s i t t h i n k s a p p r o p r i a t e f r o m t h e r e f u s a l . (page 41) 14. The c o u r t s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o draw w h a t e v e r i n f e r e n c e s i t t h i n k s a p p r o p r i a t e f r o m a r e f u s a l o f c o n s e n t by a c h i l d ' s g u a r d i a n o r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h a t t h e r e f u s a l was made i n t h e c h i l d ' s b e s t i n t e r e s t s . (page 42) 15. Where a p e r s o n a p p l y i n g f o r r e l i e f i s r e l y i n g on a p r e - s u m p t i o n o f p a t e r n i t y , i f he r e f u s e s t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e c o u r t ' s d i r e c t i o n t o s u b m i t t o a b l o o d t e s t t h e c o u r t s h o u l d h a v e power t o a d j o u r n o r d i s m i s s t h e a p p l i c a t i o n . (page 42) 16. B o t h e x c l u s i o n and n o n - e x c l u s i o n r e s u l t s i n b l o o d t e s t s s h o u l d be a d m i s s i b l e i n e v i d e n c e . T h e s e r e s u l t s s h o u l d be f u l l y shown and e x p l a i n e d i n a c e r t i f i c a t e p r o v i d e d by t h e s e r o l o g i s t r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e t e s t s . The s e r o l o g i s t s h o u l d be a v a i l a b l e f o r e x a m i n a t i o n and c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n upon t h e r e q u e s t o f any p a r t y t o t h e p r o c e e d i n g . (page 43) -19- 17. L e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d s t a t e t h a t a d o n o r o f semen u s e d i n a r t i f i c i a l i n s e m i n a t i o n h a s no l e g a l l y r e c o g n i z e d r e l a t i o n - s h i p w i t h a r e s u l t i n g c h i l d . An e x i s t i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p b e - t w e e n t h e p a r e n t s who s o u g h t a r t i f i c i a l i n s e m i n a t i o n w o u l d n o t be a f f e c t e d , n o r w o u l d t h e i r l e g a l p a r e n t - c h i l d r e l a t i o n - s h i p , (page 44) 18. A man and woman who a r e m a r r i e d o r l i v i n g t o g e t h e r and who c o n s e n t t o a r t i f i c i a l i n s e m i n a t i o n o f t h e woman, s h o u l d be t h e o n l y l e g a l l y r e c o g n i z e d p a r e n t s o f t h e r e s u l t a n t c h i l d . (page 44) 19. When a p a t e r n i t y p r o c e e d i n g i n v o l v e s b l o o d t e s t i n g o f a p e r s o n who h a s c o n s e n t e d t o a r t i f i c i a l i n s e m i n a t i o n , e v i d e n c e o f t h a t f a c t and e v i d e n c e o f t h e b l o o d t y p e o f t h e d o n o r s h o u l d be h e a r d i n t h e p r i v a c y o f a j u d g e ' s c h a m b e r s . (page 45) 20. I n t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f e v i d e n c e o f p a t e r n i t y , i n c l u d i n g t h e r e b u t t a l o f p r e s u m p t i o n s o f p a t e r n i t y , t h e " b a l a n c e o f p r o - b a b i l i t i e s " s h o u l d be t h e s t a n d a r d o f p r o o f . The " r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t " s t a n d a r d s h o u l d be e x p r e s s l y a b o l i s h e d . (page 46) 2 1 . The r e q u i r e m e n t o f c o r r o b o r a t i o n o f a m o t h e r ' s e v i d e n c e i n p a t e r n i t y p r o c e e d i n g s s h o u l d be a b o l i s h e d . The m o t h e r s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o be a c o m p e t e n t a n d c o m p e l l a b l e w i t n e s s i n a l l c a s e s w h e r e s h e i s a v a i l a b l e t o t e s t i f y . (page 46) 22. A l l e v i d e n c e o f r e g i s t r a t i o n o f p a t e r n i t y c o n t a i n e d i n p u b l i c r e c o r d s s h o u l d be a d m i s s i b l e i n p a t e r n i t y p r o c e e d i n g s . (page 47) 23. The r u l e s f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n o f w i l l s s h o u l d be c h a n g e d t o r e c o g n i z e t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n a f a t h e r and h i s c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e . S t a t u t o r y c o n s t r u c t i o n r u l e s and s t a t u t o r y d e f i n i t i o n s i n t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A c t , t h e S u c c e s s i o n D u t y A c t , t h e T e s t a t o r ' s F a m i l y M a i n t e n a n c e A c t , and t h e P r o b a t e F e e s A c t s h o u l d a l s o be amended t o r e c o g n i z e s u c h a r e l a t i o n s h i p . ( p a g e 49 ) 24. The T e s t a t o r ' s F a m i l y M a i n t e n a n c e A c t s h o u l d be amended t o p e r m i t c l a i m s b y a man, woman, o r c h i l d w h e r e t h e y have been l i v i n g t o g e t h e r and h a v e b e e n m a i n t a i n e d b y t h e t e s t a t o r f o r a p e r i o d o f one y e a r i m m e d i a t e l y p r e c e e d i n g t h e m a k i n g of t h e t e s t a t o r ' s w i l l . (page 51) -20- 25. A c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o a s h a r e o f h i s d e c e a s e d m o t h e r ' s and f a t h e r ' s e s t a t e s e q u a l t o t h e s h a r e a l l o t t e d t o o t h e r i s s u e i n a s i m i l a r p o s i t i o n u n e r t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A c t . (page 52) 26. The d i s c r e t i o n a r y s h a r e o f t h e common l a w s p o u s e u n d e r t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A c t s h o u l d be r e v i e w e d by t h e g o v e r n m e n t a t t h e same t i m e t h a t c h a n g e s r e g a r d i n g t h e s h a r e s f o r c h i l d r e n a r e c o n s i d e r e d . (page 52) 27. The A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A c t s h o u l d be amended t o p e r m i t i n h e r i t - ance f r o m and t h r o u g h t h e f a t h e r o f a c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e . The A c t s h o u l d a l l o w r e c o g n i z e d f a t h e r s t o i n h e r i t f r o m t h e c h i l d who d i e s i n t e s t a t e . (page 53) 28. No i n t e r e s t i n p r o p e r t y w h i c h has v e s t e d b e f o r e t h e a s c e r t a i n - ment o f p a t e r n i t y s h o u l d be a f f e c t e d by a s u b s e q u e n t f i n d i n g o f p a t e r n i t y . (page 54) 29. New l e g i s l a t i o n on t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f p a t e r n i t y s h o u l d not a f f e c t w i l l s , d e e d s o r o t h e r i n s t r u m e n t s e x e c u t e d b e f o r e t h e c o m i n g i n t o f o r c e o f t h e new p r o v i s i o n s o r i n t e s t a t e d e a t h s w h i c h o c c u r b e f o r e t h e c o m i n g i n t o f o r c e o f t h e new p r o v i s i o n s . (page 55) 30. The onus t o b r i n g a c l a i m i n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f a f a t h e r ' s e s t a t e s h o u l d r e s t on t h e c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e . A t t h e same t i m e , t r u s t e e s , e x e c u t o r s and a d m i n i s t r a t o r s s h o u l d h a v e a d u t y t o make a r e a s o n a b l e i n q u i r y i n t o t h e e x i s t e n c e o f s u c h c h i l d r e n . B e y o n d t h a t i n q u i r y , t h e s e o f f i c i a l s s h o u l d be exempt f r o m any p e r s o n a l l i a b i l i t y . (page 56) 31. The d u t y on t r u s t e e s , e x e c u t o r s and a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f a c h i l d ' s e s t a t e t o s e a r c h f o r t h e f a t h e r s h o u l d be l i m i t e d t o r e g i s t r a t i o n s and d e c l a r a t i o n s o f p a t e r n i t y . I f no f a t h e r i s t h e r e b y d e t e r m i n e d , i t s h o u l d be p r e s u m e d t h a t t h e c h i l d was n o t s u r v i v e d by h i s f a t h e r , u n l e s s t h e c o n t r a r y i s shown. (page 57) 32. The c h i l d m a i n t e n a n c e o b l i g a t i o n s o f t h e m o t h e r and t h e p r e - sumed, a c k n o w l e d g e d , o r d e c r e e d f a t h e r o f a c h i l d b o r n o u t - s i d e o f m a r r i a g e s h o u l d be s e t o u t i n t h e F a m i l y R e l a t i o n s A c t . (page 59) 33. The F a m i l y R e l a t i o n s A c t s h o u l d be amended t o i n c l u d e : (a) p r e - n a t a l e x p e n s e s , and (b) t h e c o s t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h b i r t h o r d e a t h o f t h e c h i l d , among t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s a j u d g e must r e v i e w i n a w a r d i n g m a i n t e n a n c e f o r a c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e . (page 60) - 2 1 - 34. The U n i f i e d F a m i l y C o u r t A c t s h o u l d be amended t o a l l o w a m o t h e r and a p r e s u m e d , a c k n o w l e d g e d , o r d e c r e e d f a t h e r t o make a g r e e m e n t s c o n c e r n i n g m a i n t e n a n c e , c u s t o d y , a n d a c e s s f o r t h e c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e . T h e s e a g r e e - m e n t s s h o u l d be n e g o t i a t e d by f a m i l y c o u n s e l l o r s , r e v i e w e d b y f a m i l y a d v o c a t e s and f i l e d i n a U n i f i e d F a m i l y C o u r t . 35. The v a r i a t i o n and e n f o r c e m e n t o f m a i n t e n a n c e a g r e e m e n t s and o r d e r s f o r c h i l d r e n b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e s h o u l d become t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e s t a f f and J u d g e s o f t h e U n i f i e d F a m i l y C o u r t . (page 62) 36. The i s s u e o f m a i n t e n a n c e f o r a c h i l d b o r n o u t s i d e o f m a r r i a g e s h o u l d be d e c i d e d i n a h e a r i n g w h i c h i s s e p a r a t e f r o m , and s u b s e q u e n t t o any p r o c e e d i n g f o r t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e c h i l d - p a r e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p . (page 64) 37. The p a r e n t a l m a i n t e n a n c e o b l i g a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e F a m i l y R e l a t i o n s A c t s h o u l d be e x p r e s s e d a s e x a m p l e s o f a g e n e r a l d e f i n i t i o n o f p a r e n t - c h i l d r e l a t i o n s h i p s . T h e s e d e f i n i t i o n s s h o u l d be c o n t i n u e d as a b a s i s f o r c h i l d m a i n t e n a n c e w h i c h i s d i s t i n c t f r o m t h e l e g a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f a f a t h e r - c h i l d r e l a t i o n s h i p . 38. The F a m i l y R e l a t i o n s A c t s h o u l d be amended t o a l l o w a s p o u s e , as d e f i n e d by s e c t i o n 15 (e) o f t h a t A c t , t o r e c e i v e m a i n t e n a n c e f o r h i m s e l f o r h e r s e l f u n t i l t h e c h i l d r e a c h e s age n i n e t e e n . (page 67) 39. I n r e v i s e d a d o p t i o n l e g i s l a t i o n , a l l r e f e r e n c e t o l e g i t i m a c y o r i l l e g i t i m a c y s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d and r e p l a c e d by t e r m s w h i c h i d e n t i f y t h e known p a r e n t - c h i l d r e l a t i o n s h i p s . (page 68) 40. A f a t h e r s h o u l d have t h e r i g h t t o c o n s e n t o r r e f u s e c o n s e n t t o h i s c h i l d ' s a d o p t i o n i f : ( i ) he i s o r h a s been m a r r i e d t o t h e c h i l d ' s m o t h e r u n l e s s , (a) he a n d t h e m o t h e r have b e e n l i v i n g s e p a r a t e and a p a r t f o r 300 d a y s p r i o r t o t h e b i r t h o f t h e c h i l d and t h e r e i s e v i d e n c e o f n o n - a c c e s s , o r (b) a n o t h e r man h a s b e e n a c k n o w l e d g e d o r d e c l a r e d t o be t h e c h i l d ' s f a t h e r ( i i ) t h e f a t h e r was l i v i n g w i t h t h e m o t h e r a t t h e t i m e o f t h e c h i l d ' s b i r t h , p r o v i d e d t h a t t h e f a t h e r ' s p a t e r n i t y h a s b e e n f o r m a l l y a c k n o w l e d g e d o r j u d i c i a l l y d e c a l a r e d ; ( i i i ) t h e f a t h e r i s l i v i n g w i t h and m a i n t a i n i n g t h e c h i l d . ( p a g e s 70 and 71) - 2 2 - 41. New l e g i s l a t i o n on a d o p t i o n s h o u l d g i v e a r i g h t t o n o t i c e and an o p p o r t u n i t y t o be h e a r d i n a d o p t i o n p r o c e e d i n g s t o f a t h e r s who h a v e shown " s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t " i n t h e i r c h i l d . G u i d e l i n e s i n t h e l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d i n d i c a t e e x a m p l e s o f " s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t . " (page 73) 42. F o r t h e g e n e r a l p u r p o s e s o f new p r o t e c t i o n o f c h i l d r e n l e g i s l a t i o n , " p a r e n t s " s h o u l d be d e f i n e d t o i n c l u d e p r e s u m e d , a c k n o w l e d g e d , a n d d e c l a r e d f a t h e r s . (page 73) 43. New l e g i s l a t i o n on t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f c h i l d r e n s h o u l d g i v e a r i g h t t o n o t i c e a n d an o p p o r t u n i t y t o be h e a r d i n a l l p r o t e c t i o n p r o c e e d i n g s t o f a t h e r s who h a v e shown " s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t " i n t h e i r c h i l d . G u i d e l i n e s i n t h e l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d i n d i c a t e e x a m p l e s o f " s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t . " (page 74) 44. New l e g i s l a t i o n on c h i l d c u s t o d y , a c c e s s , a n d g u a r d i a n s h i p s h o u l d g i v e a r i g h t t o n o t i c e a n d an o p p o r t u n i t y t o be h e a r d i n a l l c u s t o d y p r o c e e d i n g s t o f a t h e r s who h a v e shown " s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t " i n t h e i r c h i l d . G u i d e l i n e s i n t h e l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d i n d i c a t e e x a m p l e s o f " s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t . " (page 76) 45. New l e g i s l a t i o n on c h i l d c u s t o d y , a c c e s s a n d g u a r d i a n s h i p s h o u l d p l a c e a l l f a t h e r s o n an e q u a l f o o t i n g w i t h o t h e r a p p l i c a n t s . The " b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c h i l d " s h o u l d be made p a r a m o u n t i n a l l s u c h c a s e s . (page 77) 46. I n new g u a r d i a n s h i p l e g i s l a t i o n , an a c k n o w l e d g e d o r d e c l a r e d f a t h e r s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o a p p l y f o r g u a r d i a n s h i p a n d t o e x e r c i s e t h e g u a r d i a n s h i p r i g h t s o f a s u r v i v i n g p a r e n t . I f he i s l i v i n g w i t h t h e m o t h e r , t h e a c k n o w l e d g e d o r d e c l a r e d f a t h e r s h o u l d be a j o i n t g u a r d i a n o f t h e c h i l d . (page 73) 47. The Change o f Name A c t s h o u l d be amended t o d e l e t e a n y r e f e r e n c e s t o l e g i t i m a c y o r l e g i t i m a t i o n . (page 73) 48. The Change o f Name A c t s h o u l d b e amended t o p e r m i t an a c k n o w l e d g e d o r d e c l a r e d f a t h e r who h a s s o l e c u s t o d y o f h i s c h i l d t o a p p l y t o c h a n g e t h e c h i l d ' s name w i t h o u t t h e c o n s e n t o f t h e m o t h e r . I f t h e f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r a r e l i v i n g t o g e t h e r , t h e i r j o i n t c o n s e n t t o t h e c h a n g e s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d . (page 79) 49. The Marriage A c t s h o u l d b e amended t o r e p e a l a l l r e f e r e n c e s t o l e g i t i m a t i o n a n d i l l e g i t i m a c y . The D i r e c t o r o f V i t a l S t a t i s t i c s s h o u l d be a b l e t o a u t o m a t i c a l l y r e g i s t e r t h e p a t e r n i t y o f an a c k n o w l e d g e d f a t h e r i n a n y m a r r i a g e v a l i d a t e d by t h e t e r m s o f s e c t i o n s 40,42,41A, o r 42 o f t h e M a r r i a g e A c t . (page 30) -23- 50. The d e f i n i t i o n s o f " f a t h e r " and " m o t h e r " i n t h e M e n t a l H e a l t h A c t , 1964 s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d and r e p l a c e d by d e f i n i t i o n s w h i c h r e c o g n i z e t h e u n m a r r i e d m o t h e r and t h e p r e s u m e d , acknow- l e d g e d o r d e c l a r e d f a t h e r . (page 80) 51. The I n t e r p r e t a t i o n A c t s h o u l d be amended t o add t h e f o l l o w i n g r u l e o f g e n e r a l a p p l i c a t i o n : U n l e s s o t h e r w i s e s t a t e d , i n t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f a l l s t a t u t e s , t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n e v e r y p e r s o n and h i s f a t h e r and m o t h e r s h a l l be d e t e r m i n e d i r r e s p e c t i v e o f w h e t h e r t h e f a t h e r and m o t h e r a r e o r h a v e b e e n m a r r i e d t o e a c h o t h e r , and a l l o t h e r r e l a t i o n s h i p s s h a l l be d e t e r m i n e d a c c o r d i n g l y . T h i s same r u l e s h o u l d be e s t a b l i s h e d as a g e n e r a l r u l e o f c o n s t r u c t i o n f o r a l l i n s t r u m e n t s e x e c u t e d a f t e r t h e c o m i n g i n t o f o r c e of new l e g i s l a t i o n . (page 82) 52. The r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e " i l l e g i t i m a t e c h i l d " i n t h e C r i m i n a l I n j u r i e s C o m p e n s a t i o n A c t and t h e W o r k e r ' s C o m p e n s a t i o n A c t s h o u l d be repealed and r e p l a c e d by d e f i n i t i o n s w h i c h r e c o g n i z e t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p of t h e c h i l d t o h i s m o t h e r and t o a p r e s u m e d , a c k n o w l e d g e d o r d e c l a r e d f a t h e r . A l l b e n e f i t s and f a m i l y r e l a t i o n s h i p s w h i c h f l o w f r o m t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e c h i l d - p a r e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s h o u l d be d e t e r m i n e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e s e new d e f i n i t i o n s . (page 83) 53. The r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e " i l l e g i t i m a t e c h i l d " i n t h e R e s i d e n c e and R e s p o n s i b i l i t y A c t s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d and r e p l a c e d by t e r m s w h i c h r e c o g n i z e t h a t a p r e s u m e d , a c k n o w l e d g e d , o r d e c l a r e d f a t h e r c o u l d have s o l e c u s t o d y o f h i s c h i l d . I f t h e m o t h e r and f a t h e r a r e l i v i n g t o g e t h e r , t h e i r j o i n t l e g a l r e s i d e n c e s h o u l d d e t e r m i n e t h e c h i l d ' s r e s i d e n c e . (page 84) 54. As a g e n e r a l r u l e , new l e g i s l a t i o n on t h e s t a t u s o f c h i l d r e n s h o u l d a p p l y t o a l l c h i l d r e n and t h e i r p a r e n t s r e t r o a c t i v e l y . F i n a l j u d g m e n t s o r o r d e r s o f a c o u r t and a l l i n s t r u m e n t s e x e c u t e d b e f o r e t h e c o m i n g i n t o f o r c e o f new l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d be g o v e r n e d by t h e l a w t h a t w o u l d have a p p l i e d t o them if no new legislation had b e e n p a s s e d . (pace 86) 55. The G o v e r n m e n t o f Canada s h o u l d be u r g e d t o r e v i e w and r e f o r m a l l f e d e r a l l a w s w h i c h d i s t i n g u i s h b e t w e e n t h e l e g i t i m a t e and i l l e g i t i m a t e c h i l d . (page 88) 56. S h o u l d t h e g o v e r n m e n t a c c e p t t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s o f t h i s R e p o r t , we f u r t h e r recommend t h a t t h e y u r g e t h e U n i f o r m i t y C o m m i s s i o n e r s o f Canada t o d r a f t u n i f o r m l e g i s l a t i o n on t h e b a s i s o f t h i s R e p o r t . (page 92) -24- 57. The new s t a t u s o f c h i l d r e n l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d be s t a t e d t o a p p l y t o e v e r y p e r s o n , w h e t h e r b o r n i n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a o r n o t , and w h e t h e r o r n o t h i s f a t h e r o r m o t h e r has e v e r been d o m i c i l e d i n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . (page 94) 58. The C a b i n e t s h o u l d be empowered t o s p e c i f y , by O r d e r i n C o u n c i l , t h e e x t r a - p r o v i n c i a l d e c l a r a t i o n s and f o r m a l acknow- l e d g e m e n t s o f p a t e r n i t y t h a t w i l l be r e c o g n i z e d by B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a c o u r t s . The c o u r t s s h o u l d h a v e t h e d i s c r e t i o n t o r e v i e w t h e s e d e c l a r a t i o n s and a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s b e c a u s e t h e y s h o u l d be " p r i m a f a c i e e v i d e n c e " o f a c t u a l p a t e r n i t y . (page 95) -25- A p p e n d i x I I F i f t h R e p o r t of t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y and C h i l d r e n ' s Law P a r t I I I - C h i l d r e n ' s R i g h t s Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s M a r c h 1975. -26- CHILDREN'S RIGHTS SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d c o n t a i n a s t a t e m e n t o f t w e l v e r i g h t s o f c h i l d r e n w h i c h a r e u n i v e r s a l l y a p p l i c a b l e , p r a c t i c a b l e , and e n f o r c e a b l e . (page 6) 2. The p r i m a r y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o meet c h i l d r e n ' s r i g h t s s h o u l d r e s t w i t h t h e p a r e n t s o r g u a r d i a n . A s e c o n d a r y r e s p o n - s i b i l i t y s h o u l d f a l l t o t h e g o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h s h o u l d o f f e r s u p p o r t i v e s e r v i c e s f o r c h i l d r e n and r e s p o n d t o t h e r e q u e s t s o f p a r e n t s . I f t h e g o v e r n m e n t i s t h e l e g a l g u a r d i a n o f t h e c h i l d , i t s h o u l d h a v e t h e f u l l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o f u l f i l t h e r i g h t s o f t h e c h i l d . (page 10) 3. The p r i m a r y l e g a l remedy f o r t h e e n f o r e c e m e n t o f c h i l d r e n ' s r i g h t s s h o u l d be t h e j u d i c i a l d e c l a r a t i o n . T h i s remedy s h o u l d be a v a i l a b l e i n t h e P r o v i n c i a l , C o u n t y and Supreme C o u r t s . (page 13) 4. F o u r o f t h e e n u m e r a t e d r i g h t s o f c h i l d r e n a r e p r o c e d u r a l r i g h t s w h i c h s h o u l d be c o m p l i e d w i t h as n e c e s s a r y e l e m e n t s o f any l e g a l o r a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d e c i s i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h e c u s t o d y , g u a r d i a n s h i p , o r s t a t u s o f t h e c h i l d . N o n - c o m p l i a n c e s h o u l d r e s u l t i n t h e d e c i s i o n b e i n g v o i d a b l e o r s u b j e c t t o j u d i c i a l r e v i e w . (page 17) 5. The D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l s h o u l d be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r k e e p i n g a d i g e s t o f a l l j u d i c i a l d e c i s i o n s c o n c e r n i n g t h e r i g h t s o f c h i l d r e n . T h e s e d e c i s i o n s s h o u l d be e a s i l y a v a i l a b l e t o s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t g r o u p s and t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . (page 19) 6. The g o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d r e f e r t o t h e a p p r o p r i a t e d e p a r t m e n t o r a g e n c y a s t u d y o f t h e " c l a s s a c t i o n " and i t s a p p l i c a t i o n s t o t h e r i g h t s o f c h i l d r e n . (page 19) 7. I n c h i l d r e n ' s r i g h t s c a s e s , e x p e r t w i t n e s s e s s h o u l d i n c l u d e p a r e n t s , members o f t h e e x t e n d e d f a m i l y , p r o f e s s i o n a l s , and a l l o t h e r s who h a v e s p e c i a l k n o w l e d g e o f t h e c h i l d ' s c i r - c u m s t a n c e s . (page 21) 8. The s t a t e m e n t o f c h i l d r e n ' s r i g h t s i n new l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d be followed by an i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s e c t i o n w h i c h r e q u i r e s t h e c u l t u r a l and e t h n i c b a c k g r o u n d o f t h e c h i l d and h i s f a m i l y t o be t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t . (page 25) 9. I f t h e use o f p a n e l s s i t t i n g w i t h a j u d g e i n p r o t e c t i o n c a s e s i s shown t o be v a l u a b l e , t h e p r o c e d u r e s h o u l d a l s o be made a v a i l a b l e t o l i t i g a n t s who s e e k a d e c l a r a t i o n o f c h i l d r e n ' s r i g h t s i n P r o v i n c i a l C o u r t . (page 26) -27- A p p e n d i x I I I F i f t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y and C h i l d r e n ' s Law P a r t V - The P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n ( C h i l d C a r e ) Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s M a r c h 1975. -28- THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN (CHILD CARE) SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n A c t s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d and r e p l a c e d by new l e g i s l a t i v e p r o v i s i o n s i n t h e p r o p o s e d F a m i l y Law Reform. A c t , 1975. (page 3) 2. The p r o p o s e d S t a t e m e n t o f C h i l d r e n ' s R i g h t s s h o u l d be f u l l y i n t e g r a t e d w i t h new p r o t e c t i o n o f c h i l d r e n l e g i s l a t i o n , (page 5) 3. The g o v e r n m e n t and i t s c h i l d c a r e a g e n c i e s s h o u l d be o b l i g a t e d by l e g i s l a t i o n t o o f f e r c h i l d c a r e s e r v i c e s t o f a m i l i e s who c a n n o t meet t h e n e e d s and r i g h t s o f t h e i r c h i l d r e n . T h i s o f f e r o f s e r v i c e s s h o u l d be a c c o m p a n i e d b y l e g i s l a t i v e p r o - t e c t i o n s f o r t h e p e r s o n s who a r e c a r r y i n g o u t t h e s e r v i c e s . (page 13) 4. P a r e n t s o r g u a r d i a n s who a r e o f f e r e d c h i l d c a r e s e r v i c e s on a v o l u n t a r y b a s i s s h o u l d have t h e a b s o l u t e r i g h t t o r e f u s e t h e s e r v i c e s o f f e r e d . (page 13) 5. New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d p r o v i d e f o r c u s t o d y b y a g r e e m e n t b e - t w e e n p a r e n t s a n d t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e . The maximum p e r i o d f o r c u s t o d y b y a g r e e m e n t s h o u l d b e f i f t e e n m o n t h s . (page 15) 6. New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d p r o v i d e f o r t h e v o l u n t a r y s u r r e n d e r o f g u a r d i a n s h i p , w i t h o u t t h e n e c e s s i t y o f a c o u r t a p p e a r a n c e . T h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p r o c e s s s h o u l d be r e v i e w a b l e b y a P r o v i n c i a l C o u r t J u d g e w i t h i n t h r i t y d a y s o f t h e s u r r e n d e r . I n t h e c a s e o f a t e m p o r a r y s u r r e n d e r , t h e p a r e n t s s h o u l d be a b l e t o t e r m i n a t e t h e g u a r d i a n s h i p a f t e r t h i r t y d a y s ' n o t i c e , and t h e y s h o u l d be a b l e t o w i t h h o l d t h e i r c o n s e n t t o a d o p t i o n . (page 18) 7. New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d i n t r o d u c e t h e C h i l d C a r e C o n f e r e n c e a s a v o l u n t a r y means o f r e s o l v i n g c h i l d c a r e c a s e s . The C o n - f e r e n c e s h o u l d be c h a i r e d b y a m e d i a t o r who c a n a s s i s t t h e p a r t i e s i n r e a c h i n g a c h i l d c a r e a g r e e m e n t . The d i s c u s s i o n s i n t h e C o n f e r e n c e s h o u l d be c o n f i d e n t i a l and i n f o r m a l l y s t r u c t u r e . (page 22) 8. U n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n d e s i g n a t e d c h i l d c a r e w o r k e r s s h o u l d be empowered t o t a k e c u s t o d y o f a c h i l d i n e m e r g e n c y c i r c u m s t a n c e s f o r a s i n g l e p e r i o d o f f o r t y - e i g h t h o u r s . The w o r k e r s should be g u i d e d b y s p e c i f i c g r o u n d s f o r u s e o f t h i s short-term c u s t o d y and t h e y s h o u l d be a c c o u n t a b l e t o t h e F a m i l y C o u r t . (page 25) 9. New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d c o n t a i n a d e f i n i t i o n o f " e m o t i o n a l n e g l e c t " a s a b a s i s f o r f i n d i n g t h a t a c h i l d i s " i n need o f c a r e . " (page 27) -29- 10. C a s e s o f " e m o t i o n a l n e g l e c t " s h o u l d o n l y be b r o u g h t into c o u r t by way o f a summons, a f t e r a l l p r e v i o u s r e m e d i e s h a v e been e x h a u s t e d . New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d a l s o r e s t r i c t t h e t y p e s o f d i s p o s t i o n s a v a i l a b l e t o t h e c o u r t i n t h e s e c a s e s . (page 29) 11. The b a s i s f o r a p p r e h e n s i o n o f a c h i l d and f o r a j u d i c i a l f i n d i n g t h a t a c h i l d i s " i n n e e d o f p r o t e c t i o n " s h o u l d be r e - w r i t t e n . The new g r o u n d s f o r a p p r e h e n s i o n s h o u l d be c h a r a c t e r i z e d a s " e m e r g e n c y " s i t u a t i o n s w i t h i n one o f t h e s e c a t e g o r i e s : (1) p a r e n t a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e c h i l d ; (2) c h i l d d a n g e r o u s t o s e l f o r f a m i l y ; (3) b r e a k d o w n o f c u s t o d y by a g r e e m e n t o r c h i l d c a r e a g r e e m e n t . (page 32) 12. The t i m e s e q u e n c e s f o r t e m p o r a r y a n d p e r m a n e n t g u a r d i a n - s h i p o r d e r s s h o u l d be c h a n g e d t o r e f l e c t t h e c h i l d ' s s e n s e o f t i m e . C h i l d r e n u n d e r f i v e s h o u l d r e c e i v e s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n i n t h i s change o f t i m e s e q u e n c e s . (page 34) 13. C h i l d c a r e w o r k e r s s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o s u b m i t p l a n s f o r t h e f u t u r e o f a c h i l d who i s " i n n e e d o f c a r e " a t t h r e e s t a g e s i n c o u r t p r o c e e d i n g s : (1) o r a l p r e s e n t a t i o n a t t h e f i r s t a p p e a r a n c e (2) w r i t t e n p l a n w i t h i n t h i r t y d a y s o f f i r s t a p p e a r a n c e (3) w r i t t e n p l a n a t t h e t i m e any o r d e r o f t h e c o u r t i s renewed. (page 36) 14. The v o l u n t a r y s u r r e n d e r o f g u a r d i a n s h i p f o r a t e m p o r a r y p e r i o d s h o u l d be l i m i t e d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l y t o s i x - m o n t h p e r i o d s . E a c h r e n e w a l o f v o l u n t a r y s u r r e n d e r s h o u l d be c h e c k e d b y t h e p r o p o s e d r e v i e w b o a r d s . (page 38) 15. S u p e r v i s i o n o r d e r s s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o be l i m i t e d t o a maximum o f t w e l v e m o n t h s . The p a r e n t s s h o u l d b e a b l e t o s e e k a c o u r t r e v i e w o f t h e o r d e r a f t e r s i x m o n t h s . (page 38) 16. C o u r t o r d e r s f o r t e m p o r a r y g u a r d i a n s h i p o f a c h i l d s h o u l d be l i m i t e d i n d u r a t i o n and made s u b j e c t t o f r e q u e n t r e v i e w s . The r e s t r i c t i o n s s h o u l d be a s f o l l o w s : (1) C h i l d r e n u n d e r f i v e - i n i t i a l o r d e r o f t h r e e m o n t h s , f o l l o w e d b y two r e n e w a l s o f s i x m o n t h s ; maximum t o t a l - f i f t e e n m o n t h s . (2) C h i l d r e n o v e r f i v e - i n i t i a l o r d e r o f s i x m o n t h s , f o l l o w e d by r e n e w a l s e v e r y s i x m o n t h s : maximum p e r i o d - t w e n t y f o u r months. (page 41) -30- 17. P e r m a n e n t g u a r d i a n s h i p o r d e r s i n new l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d have t h e e f f e c t o f f u l l y t e r m i n a t i n g p a r e n t a l r i g h t s . The p e r - manent g u a r d i a n s h i p o r d e r s h o u l d be s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e f o r t h r e e months b e f o r e i t i s made f i n a l . The f a m i l y a d v o c a t e s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l p r o c e e d i n g s f o r p e r - manent g u a r d i a n s h i p . (page 44) 13. S u b j e c t t o t h e c h a n g e s made by t h e j o i n t f e d e r a l - p r o v i n c i a l r e v i e w o f t h e J u v e n i l e D e l i n q u e n t s A c t , we recommend t h a t c o m m i t t a l s t o t h e c a r e and c u s t o d y o f t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e p u r s u e a n t t o t h a t A c t s h o u l d be r e v i e w a b l e . T h i s c a n be a c c o m p l i s h e d by r e q u i r i n g t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , u n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n , t o r e t u r n t h e s e c a s e s t o c o u r t f o r a r e v i e w e v e r y t w e l v e m o n t h s . (page 46) 19. The age a t w h i c h a c h i l d c a n be t a k e n i n t o c a r e s h o u l d be r a i s e d t o e i g h t e e n i n o r d e r t o m a t c h t h e p r o p o s e d age o f m a j o r i t y . Where a y o u n g p e r s o n h a s s p e c i a l n e e d s t h a t w i l l c o n t i n u e i n t o a d u l t h o o d , t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d be a b l e t o e x t e n d h i s g u a r d i a n s h i p f o r a t r a n s i t i o n a l p e r i o d . (page 47) 20. The s e l e c t i o n o f a d i s p o s i t i o n i n a c h i l d c a r e c a s e u n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d a l w a y s be b a s e d upon " t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e c h i l d " t e s t . (page 50) 21. A v a r i e t y o f s u p e r v i s i o n o r d e r s s h o u l d be a v a i l a b l e u n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n so t h a t r e a l i s t i c c o n d i t i o n s c a n be i m p o s e d upon t h e p a r e n t s , t h e c h i l d , o r t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e (page 51) 22. The c o n c e p t o f g u a r d i a n s h i p i n new c h i l d c a r e l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d be f u l l y d e f i n e d i n o r d e r t o c l a r i f y t h e r i g h t s and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f : (1) t h e n a t u r a l p a r e n t s ; (2) t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e and h i s r e p r e s e n t a - t i v e s ; a n d (3) t h e p e r s o n s who h a v e a c t u a l c u s t o d y o f t h e c h i l d t a k e n i n t o c a r e . (page 53) 23. U n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n , i t s h o u l d be p o s s i b l e t o j o i n a c u s t o d y a p p l i c a t i o n w i t h p r o t e c t i o n p r o c e e d i n g s t o t h a t a j u d g e c a n make one o f t h e f o l l o w i n g o r d e r s : (1) t h a t c u s t o d y b e g r a n t e d t o one p a r e n t e x c l u s i v e l y ; o r (2) t h a t c u s t o d y be g r a n t e d t o a r e l a t i v e o r o t h e r s u i t a b l e p e r s o n . (page 54) 24. One p o s s i b l e d i s p o s i t i o n s h o u l d be t h e r e f e r r a l o f a c a s e b a c k t o a C h i l d C a r e C o n f e r e n c e f o r m e d i a t i o n . T h i s s h o u l d be p o s s i b l e a s a s e p a r a t e d i s p o s i t i o n o r i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h a n o t h e r d i s p o s i t i o n . (page 55) -31- 25. One d i s p o s i t i o n r e s u l t i n g f r o m a f i n a l o r d e r f o r p e r m a n e n t g u a r d i a n s h i p s h o u l d be t h e o p t i o n o f s h a r e d g u a r d i a n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e and t h e p e r m a n e n t f o s t e r p a r e n t s . I n some c a s e s , the S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s h o u l d be prepared t o t r a n s f e r s o l e g u a r d i a n s h i p t o t h e f o s t e r p a r e n t s . (page 57) 26. U n l e s s t h e r e a r e e x c e p t i o n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e S u p e r - i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o p l a c e a c h i l d u n d e r a t e m p o r a r y g u a r d i a n s h i p o r d e r i n a c c o m m o d a t i o n l o c a t e d i n t h e same r e g i o n as t h e home o f t h e c h i l d ' s c u s t o d i a l p a r e n t s . (page 57) 27. S e c t i o n 65 o f t h e P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n A c t s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d and r e p l a c e d by a s e c t i o n b a s e d upon a j u d i c i a l f i n d i n g o f " i r r e c o n c i l a b l e d i f f e r e n c e s b e t w e e n p a r e n t and c h i l d w h i c h c a n n o t be r e s o l v e d u n l e s s t h e c o u r t makes an o r d e r . " (page 61) 28. A d i s p o s i t i o n f o l l o w i n g a f i n d i n g o f " i r r e c o n c i l a b l e d i f f e r e n c e s " s h o u l d n o t be c o n f u s e d w i t h j u v e n i l e d e l i n q u e n c y d i s p o s i t i o n s . New d i s p o s i t i o n s s h o u l d b r o a d l y c o n f o r m t o t h o s e recommended f o r c h i l d r e n " i n n e e d o f c a r e . " R e s t r i c t e d p o w e r s o f p l a c e m e n t i n a c o n f i n e d s e t t i n g s h o u l d be l e f t w i t h t h e c o u r t i n t h e s e c a s e s . (page 63) 29. F o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f new c h i l d c a r e l e g i s l a t i o n , a " c h i l d " s h o u l d be d e f i n e d as i n c l u d i n g an u n b o r n i n f a n t whose m o t h e r has e l e c t e d t o c a r r y t h e c h i l d t o t h e f u l l t e r m o f h e r p r e g n a n c y . (page 66) 30. The c h i l d abuse r e p o r t i n g l a w , c o n t a i n e d i n t h e P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n Amendment A c t , 1974 s h o u l d be t r a n s f e r r e d t o new l e g i s l a t i o n . Two a d j u s t m e n t s s h o u l d be made: (1) The r e p o r t s c o u l d be made t o the S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e o r h i s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e : (2) The p r i v i l e g e b e t w e e n l a w y e r a n d c l i e n t and b e t w e e n f a m i l y c o u n s e l l o r and c l i e n t s h o u l d n o t be a b r o g a t e d . (page 67) 31. When a l l c h i l d c a r e a g e n c i e s d e v e l o p a c a p a c i t y t o r e s p o n d q u i c k l y t o c h i l d a b u s e s i t u a t i o n s , t h e r e p o r t i n g l a w s h o u l d be more w i d e l y p u b l i c i z e d . (page 68) 32. The C h i l d A b u s e R e g i s t r y , c u r r e n t l y m a i n t a i n e d a s an a d m i n - i s t r a t i v e p r o c e d u r e , s h o u l d be g i v e n a l e g i s l a t i v e s t a t u s w h i c h p r o t e c t s the c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y o f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n on r e p o r t e d c h i l d a b u s e . (page 69) 33. The g o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d d e v e l o p team a p p r o a c h e s f o r t h e p r e - v e n t i o n and t r e a t m e n t o f c h i l d a b u s e . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e g o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d be p r e p a r e d t o f i n a n c e and s u p p o r t v o l - u n t e e r c o m m u n i t y e f f o r t s aimed a t t h e p r e v e n t i o n o f c h i l d a b u s e . (page 76) - 3 2 - 34. E x t e r n a l r e v i e w o f c h i l d w e l f a r e c a s e s s h o u l d be i m p l e - mented t h r o u g h a r e v i e w b o a r d . T h e s e b o a r d s s h o u l d be c o n s t i t u t e d b y a p e r m a n e n t c h a i r m a n a n d two l o c a l c o m m u n i t y members, a l l o f whom a r e i n d e p e n d e n t o f t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e s y s t e m . The b o a r d s s h o u l d h a v e a l i m i t e d j u r i s d i c t i o n i n t h e k i n d s o f c a s e s t h e y r e v i e w , b u t t h e y s h o u l d h a v e a d e q u a t e p o w e r s t o f u l l y i n v e s t i g a t e t h o s e c a s e s . (page 80) 35. I f t h e f u n c t i o n o f o m b u d s p e r s o n i s t a k e n up by r e v i e w b o a r d s , t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d be c l e a r l y d e f i n e d a s an a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o f f i c e r . I n t h i s new p o s i t i o n , t e r m e d t h e " D i r e c t o r o f C h i l d C a r e , " he w o u l d h a v e t h e c h i e f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e g u a r d i a n s h i p o f " t h e Crown i n r i g h t o f t h e p r o v i n c e . " (page 81) 36. The S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d b e a s s i s t e d i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f i n t e r n a l r e v i e w p r o c e d u r e s b y c o m p l e t e and q u i c k l y a c c e s s i b l e d a t a on a l l c h i l d c a r e c a s e s . (page 82) 37. The i m m i g r a n t c h i l d r e n p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n A c t s h o u l d be r e p e a l e d a n d r e p l a c e d b y new l e g - i s l a t i o n w h i c h p e r m i t s t h e M i n i s t e r o f Human R e s o u r c e s t o e n t e r a g r e e m e n t s w i t h t h e f e d e r a l M i n i s t e r y o f Manpower a n d I m m i g r a t i o n r e s p e c t i n g t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f i m m i g r a n t c h i l d r e n . (page 86) 33. A l l r e f e r e n c e s t o c r i m i n a l p r o c e d u r e s h o u l d be p h a s e d o u t o f new c h i l d c a r e l e g i s l a t i o n . (page 88) 39. The p a r e n t s o f a c h i l d who i s i n c a r e u n d e r a t e m p o r a r y g u a r d i a n s h i p o r d e r s h o u l d be a b l e t o a p p l y f o r a v a r i a t i o n o r r e c i s s i o n o f t h a t o r d e r a t a n y t i m e p r i o r t o t h e e x p i r a t i o n o f t h e o r d e r . (page 89) 40. A p p e a l s o f c h i l d c a r e d e c i s i o n s made i n t h e P r o v i n c i a l C o u r t s h o u l d be d i r e c t a p p e a l s t o t h e Supreme C o u r t o r t h e C o u r t o f A p p e a l . ( p a g e 90) 41. New l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d c o n t a i n p r o v i s i o n s f o r t h e f u l l r e - c o g n i t i o n o f e x t r a - p r o v i n c i a l c h i l d p r o t e c t i o n o r d e r s a n d d o c u m e n t s . (page 90) 42. I n t e r e s t e d f a t h e r s a n d p e r s o n s f r o m whom a c h i l d i s a p p - r e h e n d e d s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d among t h o s e who a r e e n t i t l e d t o n o t i c e o f c h i l d c a r e p r o c e e d i n g s . ( p a g e 91) 43. T h e n o t i c e o f c h i l d c a r e p r o c e e d i n g s s h o u l d i n c l u d e a n o t i c e o f t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s i n t e n t i o n t o seek a p a r t - i c u l a r d i s p o s i t i o n . (page 92) -33- 44. P a r e n t s who a r e b r o u g h t i n t o c o u r t i n c h i l d c a r e p r o c e e d i n g s s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o l e g a l c o u n s e l a s a m a t t e r o f r i g h t . L e g a l a i d s h o u l d be made r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e t o t h o s e who c a n n o t a f f o r d a l a w y e r . (page 94) 45. When e x i s t i n g o r d e r s a r e r e v i e w e d u n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n , the j u d g e s h o u l d be a b l e t o r e s c i n d t h e o r d e r o r make any new d i s p o s i t i o n a v a i l a b e t o h i m u n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n . (page 95) 46. When e x i s t i n g t e m p o r a r y g u a r d i a n s h i p o r d e r s a r e b r o u g h t t o c o u r t f o r r e n e w a l , t h e y s h o u l d be made s u b j e c t t o t h e t i m e s e q u e n c e s o f new l e g i s l a t i o n . (page 96) 47. I f e x i s t i n g p e r m a n e n t g u a r d i a n s h i p o r d e r s a r e t o be c o n v e r t e d i n t o t r u l y p e r m a n e n t o r d e r s u n d e r new l e g i s l a t i o n , t h i s s h o u l d be done o n l y a f t e r a f u l l h e a r i n g i n t h e P r o v i n c i a l C o u r t . (page 97) -34- A p p e n d i x I V T e n t h R e p o r t o f t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n on F a m i l y & C h i l d r e n Law N a t i v e F a m i l i e s & t h e Law Summary o f R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s May 1975. -35- SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON NATIVE F A M I L I E S AND THE LAW 1. An i n c r e a s e d number o f n a t i v e c o n s u l t a n t s and l i n e s t a f f s h o u l d be h i r e d by t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s and the V a n c o u v e r R e s o u r c e s B o a r d . 2. O r i e n t a t i o n t o t h e I n d i a n c u l t u r e s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d in a l l p r o f e s s i o n a l t r a i n i n g . S i m i l a r o r i e n t a t i o n s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d t h r o u g h i n - s e r v i c e t r a i n i n g f o r t h o s e a l r e a d y e m p l o y e d who a r e i n c o n t a c t w i t h n a t i v e p e o p l e . 3. I n p r o t e c t i o n p r o c e e d i n g s i n v o l v i n g c h i l d r e n a p p r e h e n d e d on a r e s e r v e , t h e band s h o u l d be a s k e d t o s u g g e s t a l t e r n a t i v e p l a c e m e n t s f o r t h e c h i l d , i f t h a t i s a p p r o p r i a t e . 4. When n a t i v e c h i l d r e n have been a p p r e h e n d e d i t s h o u l d be t h e d u t y o f t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e t o make c e r t a i n t h a t t h e p a r e n t s have had i n d e p e n d e n t l e g a l a d v i c e , a n d , i f t h e y s o w i s h , l e g a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . F u r t h e r , i t s h o u l d be t h e d u t y o f t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e o r h i s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e t o r e p o r t t o t h e c o u r t t h a t t h e y have f u l f i l l e d t h e s e d u t i e s , b e f o r e p r o c e e d i n g t o h e a r i n g . 5. When n a t i v e c h i l d r e n a r e a p p r e h e n d e d i n u r b a n a r e a s , t h e i r band s h o u l d be n o t i f i e d and g i v e n f i r s t o p t i o n f o r p l a n n i n g . S o c i a l w o r k e r s on t h e r e s e r v e and i n I n d i a n F r i e n d s h i p C e n t r e s s h o u l d a s s i s t i n t r y i n g t o l o c a t e m i s s i n g p a r e n t s . A d v e r t i s e m e n t s s h o u l d be p l a c e d i n n a t i v e n e w s p a p e r s where t h e y a r e more l i k e l y t o be s e e n by n a t i v e I n d i a n f a m i l i e s . 6. T h e r e s h o u l d be r e c e i v i n g and g r o u p homes on r e s e r v e s , s t a f f e d by n a t i v e p e o p l e , t o o f f e r p r o t e c t i o n t o t h e c h i l d w i t h o u t s e v e r i n g t h e t i e w i t h t h e p a r e n t o r t h e b a n d . 7. Group home s t a n d a r d s f o r s t a f f i n g , a c c o m m o d a t i o n and management s h o u l d be d e s i g n e d i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h n a t i v e p e o p l e . 8. A m a n u a l o u t l i n i n g t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r s e t t i n g up a group home on a r e s e r v e s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d f o r t h e u s e o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s s t a f f a n d n a t i v e a p p l i c a n t s . 9 . N a t i v e c h i l d r e n r e q u i r i n g f o s t e r c a r e s h o u l d be p l a c e d i n n a t i v e f o s t e r homes w h e r e v e r p o s s i b l e . -36- 10. N a t i v e f o s t e r homes f o r n a t i v e c h i l d r e n s h o u l d be d e v e l o p e d . The C a m p b e l l R i v e r / K a m l o o p s C h i l d P l a c e m e n t P r o j e c t s s h o u l d be c o n t i n u e d and s i m i l a r p r o j e c t s e s t a b l i s h e d i n o t h e r a r e a s o f B.C. 11. E x t e r n a l r e v i e w o f c h i l d w e l f a r e c a s e s s h o u l d be i m p l e m e n t e d t h r o u g h a r e v i e w b o a r d . T h e s e b o a r d s s h o u l d be c o n s t i t u t e d by a p e r m a n e n t c h a i r m a n a n d two members o f t h e l o c a l I n d i a n b a n d s , a l l o f whom a r e i n d e p e n d e n t o f t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e s y s t e m . The b o a r d s s h o u l d have a l i m i t e d j u r i s d i c t i o n i n t h e k i n d s o f c a s e s t h e y r e v i e w , b u t t h e y s h o u l d have a d e q u a t e powers t o f u l l y i n v e s t i g a t e t h o s e c a s e s . 12. The D e p a r t m e n t o f Human R e s o u r c e s s h o u l d n o t i f y I n d i a n f o s t e r c h i l d r e n o f t h e i r band o f o r i g i n , where t h i s i s r e q u e s t e d . S i m i l a r c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h o u l d be g i v e n t o r e q u e s t s by r e l a t i v e s f o r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t c h i l d r e n who have been removed. 13. Employment and t r a i n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r n a t i v e s t a f f t o be u s e d i n t h e r e c r u i t m e n t o f a d o p t i o n homes s h o u l d be e x p a n d e d as q u i c k l y as p o s s i b l e . 14. The h i g h e s t p o s s i b l e p r i o r i t y must be g i v e n t o f i n d i n g n a t i v e a d o p t i o n homes f o r n a t i v e c h i l d r e n . 15. L o c a l r e s e a r c h s h o u l d be u n d e r t a k e n t o c o n s i d e r t h e outcome o f a d o p t i o n p l a c e m e n t a c r o s s r a c i a l l i n e s . 16. An " e t h n i c r e l e a s e " s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d o f I n d i a n p a r e n t s who r e q u e s t a n o n - I n d i a n a d o p t i o n home f o r t h e i r c h i l d . 17. I f a m o t h e r w i t h I n d i a n s t a t u s w i s h e s c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y and h e r n e w b o r n i n f a n t c a n be p l a c e d f o r a d o p t i o n w i t h s t a t u s p a r e n t s b e l o n g t o a n o t h e r b a n d , t h e m o t h e r ' s own band s h o u l d n o t be a d v i s e d o f t h e b i r t h . 18. N o n - I n d i a n a d o p t i n g p a r e n t s s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d by t h e S u p e r - i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e t o t a k e p a r t i n an o r i e n t a t i o n c o u r s e , p r i o r t o p l a c e m e n t , t o be d e s i g n e d b y o r i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h n a t i v e p e o p l e . 19. N o n - I n d i a n p a r e n t s a d o p t i n g I n d i a n c h i l d r e n , w h e t h e r s t a t u s o r n o n - s t a t u s , s h o u l d s i g n an a g r e e m e n t a t t h e t i m e o f p l a c e - ment c o n f i r m i n g t h e i r w i l l i n g n e s s t o f a m i l i a r i z e t h e c h i l d w i t h h i s I n d i a n h e r i t a g e . 20. The S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o c o n v e y t o t h e R e g i s t r a r i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s a l l r e l e v a n t i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e a d o p t i o n o f a s t a t u s I n d i a n c h i l d . -37- 21. The S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o n o t i f y t h e a d o p t i n g p a r e n t s o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h e c h i l d i s a s t a t u s I n d i a n , and o f h i s band m e m b e r s h i p . 22. The S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f C h i l d W e l f a r e s h o u l d be r e q u i r e d to n o t i f y t h e c h i l d a t age 21 o f t h e f a c t t h a t he o r she i s a s t a t u s I n d i a n . 23. S u b s i d i e s s h o u l d be a v a i l a b l e as n e e d e d , b o t h i n a d o p t i o n and g u a r d i a n s h i p p r o c e e d i n g s , t o e n a b l e n a t i v e f a m i l i e s , b o t h s t a t u s and n o n - s t a t u s , t o a d o p t c h i l d r e n of n a t i v e o r i g i n . 24. An I n d i a n c u s t o m a d o p t i o n s h o u l d be r e c o g n i z e d as a l e g a l a d o p t i o n u n d e r new a d o p t i o n l e g i s l a t i o n . 25. An a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p r o c e d u r e u n d e r t h e a u s p i c e s o f t h e Director o f V i t a l S t a t i s t i c e s s h o u l d be e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t h e f o r m a l r e g i s t r a t i o n o f c u s t o m a d o p t i o n s . T h i s r e g i s t r a t i o n w o u l d be c o n c l u s i v e p r o o f o f t h e c u s t o m a d o p t i o n f o r a l l l e g a l p u r p o s e s On a j u d i c i a l f i n d i n g b a s e d on f r e s h e v i d e n c e c o u l d a l t e r t h e v a l i d i t y o f t h e c u s t o m a d o p t i o n . 26. P r o v i n c i a l s u p p o r t s h o u l d be g i v e n t o I n d i a n autnomy i n t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n and p r o v i s i o n o f a p r o g r a m of p r e v e n t i v e and s t a t u t o r y s o c i a l s e r v i c e s t o e n a b l e I n d i a n p e o p l e i n f a c t as w e l l as i n l a w t o e n j o y t h e same l e v e l o f s e r v i c e s as any o t h e r c i t i z e n o f t h e P r o v i n c e . 27. S o c i a l s e r v i c e s on t h e r e s e r v e s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d t h r o u g h a c o m m u n i t y r e s o u r c e b o a r d w i t h b r o a d r e p r e s e n t a t i o n , i f t h i s i s t h e w i s h o f t h e b a n d . 28. Community R e s o u r c e B o a r d s a c r o s s t h e P r o v i n c e s h o u l d r e f l e c t t h e n a t i v e p o p u l a t i o n o f t h e community e i t h e r by d i r e c t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n or by i n v i t e d c o n s u l t a t i o n . 29. A g r o u p o f community d e v e l o p m e n t w o r k e r s ( t h r e e n a t i v e , two n o n - n a t i v e ) s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d t o a s s i s t b a n d s w h i c h w i s h t o s e t up t h e i r own community r e s o u r c e b o a r d on t h e r e s e r v e . 30. I n - s e r v i c e s e m i n a r s s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d f o r e m p l o y e e s o f t h e l o c a l I n d i a n b a n d s , and f o r e m p l o y e e s of t h e a p p r o p r i a t e d e p a r t m e n t s o f t h e f e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t s t o f a c i l i t a t e c o m m u n i c a t i o n among them and t h e c o o r d i n a t i o n of s e r v i c e s . 31. The B.C. S c h o o l c u r r i c u l u m s h o u l d p r o v i d e r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e I n d i a n c u l t u r e , h i s t o r y a n d l a n g u a g e . -38- 32. A d d i t i o n a l s u p p o r t and c o u n s e l l i n g s e r v i c e s s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d f o r n a t i v e s t u d e n t s whose e d u c a t i o n must be c o m p l e t e d a t c e n t r e s away f r o m t h e i r home. 33. F i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t f o r n o n - s t a t u s I n d i a n s t u d e n t s a t t e n d i n g e d u c a t i o n a l c e n t r e s away f r o m t h e i r home s h o u l d be p r o v i d e d by t h e p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t . 34. P r o v i n c i a l s c h o o l b o a r d s s h o u l d r e f l e c t t h e I n d i a n p o p u l a t i o n o f t h e community e i t h e r by d i r e c t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o r by i n v i t e d p a r t i c i p a t i o n . 35. An e x t e n s i v e e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e s y s t e m o f h e a l t h c a r e d e l i v e r y to I n d i a n p e o p l e s h o u l d be u n d e r t a k e n by t h e f e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s i n v o l v e d . 36. The q u a l i f i c a t i o n s f o r some s o c i a l work p o s i t i o n s , as s e t c u t by t h e P u b l i c S e r v i c e C o m m i s s i o n , s h o u l d be r e - e x a m i n e d w i t h a v i e w t o r e c o g n i z i n g t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f " I n d i a n e x p e r t i s e " , a p t i t u d e , and l i f e e x p e r i e n c e , i n l i e u o f a c a d e m i c e d u c a t i o n . In a d d i t i o n , t h e r e s h o u l d be o n - t h e - j o b t r a i n i n g and o p p o r - t u n i t i e s f o r u p g r a d i n g s u c h t h a t t h e s e r e c l a s s i f i e d p o s i t i o n s can be p a r t o f t h e c i v i l s e r v i c e c a r e e r l a d d e r . 37. T h e r e must be an a d e q u a t e l y f u n d e d , c o n t i n u i n g , a c c e s s i b l e , v a r i e t y o f t r a i n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o e n a b l e n a t i v e s o c i a l s e r v i c e w o r k e r s t o p r o v i d e t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e s e r v i c e t o the n a t i v e c o m m u n i t y - - s t a t u s and n o n - s t a t u s , u r b a n a n d r u r a l . 38. S p e c i a l p r e p a r a t o r y p r o g r a m s s h o u l d be d e v e l o p e d t o e n a b l e n a t i v e p e r s o n s t o q u a l i f y f o r a n d s u c c e s s f u l l y c o m p l e t e s o c i a l work e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s . 39. S e r v i c e s o f f e r e d t o I n d i a n p e o p l e s h o u l d e m p h a s i z e g r a s s - r o o t s p l a n n i n g a n d a s e l f - h e l p a p p r o a c h . 40. T r a i n i n g and e d u c a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r n a t i v e I n d i a n s i n t h e f i e l d o f l a w must be made a v a i l a b l e s o t h a t a n e t w o r k o f l e g a l s e r v i c e s c a n be p r o v i d e d f o r n a t i v e p e o p l e . 41. Community R e s o u r c e B o a r d s a n d g o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s s h o u l d make e v e r y e f f o r t t o i m p r o v e t h e i r methods and c h a n n e l s o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h n a t i v e p e o p l e . -39- A p p e n d i x V Band S o c i a l W o r k e r s C o n f e r e n c e S e p t e m b e r , 1977. - 4 0 - WORKSHOP A - G l o r i a Joe, Leader 1. Our group f e l t the top p r i o r i t y should be t h a t N a t i v e s become i n v o l v e d with the D.I. A. and the M.H.R. i n r e g a r d i n g the p o l i c i e s r e l a t i n g to the N a t i v e s . These are the on-going p o l i c i e s and those f o r the f u t u r e . We'd l i k e to s t r e s s the important f a c t that the N a t i v e s must present a u n i t e d f r o n t to work f o r t h e i r common b e n e f i t s . 2. I t was f e l t , there i s a desperate need f o r an awareness programme f o r non-natives, to encourage people working with the Natives to know and understand the p h i l o s o p h y of the N a t i v e s and to know about the c u l t u r e and h e r i t a g e of the hands they are working with and f o r . 3. No matter what i d e a s , we shared the s u b j e c t always seemed to r e l a t e back to our concerns over c h i l d w e l f a r e , r a t e s , p l a c e - ments, e t c . C h i l d w e l f a r e i s so important as our c h i l d r e n are our f u t u r e . 4. I s o l a t i o n appears to be a problem. a) Communication amongst the bands themselves e s p e c i a l l y between the i s o l a t e d bands was f e l t to be important, so there can be a s h a r i n g of i d e a s and s o l v i n g of problems, e.g.: one band may have had a problem and s a t i s f a c t o r i l y worked out a s o l u t i o n , t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n could and should be shared. b) I s o l a t e d areas do not have s o c i a l workers r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e , due to the f a c t of t h e i r i s o l a t i o n . Band w e l f a r e workers expressed they would l i k e the a u t h o r i t y to p l a c e c h i l d r e n where and when the need a r i s e s . c) The i s o l a t e d areas expressed concern over the f a c t that i s some areas the s o c i a l workers t r a n s p o r t a t i o n expenses had been cut back and can o n l y v i s i t every t h r e e or f o u r months. They f e l t i t i s necessary and important t h a t the s o c i a l workers be able to v i s i t the bands at l e a s t once a month. d) A l s o the i s o l a t e d areas would l i k e to see the p o l i c y makers take i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h a t i s o l a t i o n presents d i f f e r e n t problems, due to the f a c t they are i s o l a t e d . 5. There i s a need f o r formal t r a i n i n g and e d u c a t i o n of Native s o c i a l workers so they can gain c r e d i t s to r e c e i v e t h e i r R .S .W. T h i s t r a i n i n g and education to be a v a i l a b l e i n or hear t h e i r own a r e a s . -41- 6. We a l s o f e l t band s t a f f , c h i e f and c o u n c i l s need t o work together t o e n t e r p r e t p o l i c i e s . Support from the bancs needs to be there f o r group homes, f o s t e r homes, e t c . on t h e i r own r e s e r v e s . 7. There should be a Native Indian Resource person a v a i l a b l e in p r o v i d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i n g t o the Native Indian c u l t u r a l environments w i t h i n each d i s t r i c t , t o promote or t o s t a r t as a beginning t o b e t t e r communication and involvement, t h i s person should a l s o be concerned and i n v o l v e d with the M.H.R. S t a f f Development s e s s i o n s . 8. A l l f e l t there was no r e a l problem concerning the law and the R.C.M.P., as f a r as c o - o p e r a t i o n i s concerned. J u s t the f a c t again o f the problem t h a t i s o l a t i o n i n v o l v e s . I t was brought out that some bands have had Natives take t r a i n i n g so they are r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e t o a s s i s t the R.C.M.P. on the r e s e r v e s . 9. Great l a c k o f communication - can't s t r e s s enough the need f o r more communication and e d u c a t i o n on and o f f the r e s e r v e s . Recorder - Jean Gross, W i l l i a m s Lake, B.C. E i g h t persons present - 1 Family Court Worker, Four Welfare A i d Workers, Two Band C l e r k s and 1 r e p r e s e n t a t i v e from B.C. F e d e r a t i o n of F o s t e r Parent A s s o c i a t i o n - r e p r e s e n t i n g areas - T e r r a c e , Vancouver, Burnaby, North Shore, Kleeneta, Powell River and Williams Lake . -42- Group Number 3 - Stephen Kozey Leader Workshop A, D, & E Summary - Native S o c i a l Work Conference September 21st - 23rd, 1977 1. Concern: Poor working r e l a t i o n s h i p between Band workers and D.I.A. and H.R. workers. As a r e s u l t t h e r e i s i n c o n s i s t e n c y i n a p p l i c a t i o n of r e g u l a t i o n s and s e r v i c e s to people i n d i f f e r e n t D i s t r i c t s and or geographic areas. Recommendation: A r e g i o n a l committee (advisory body etc.) of Native S o c i a l Workers to work d i r e c t l y and c l o s e l y with Regional D.I.A. and Prov. H.R. i n regards to p o l i c y and program s e r v i c e d e l i v e r y of these govern- ment Departments. S i m i l a r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n at D i s t r i c t l e v e l s . 2. Concern: Lack of C h i l d Care Resources on Reserve. A l s o n a t i v e s o c i a l workers are p r o v i d i n g the bulk of c h i l d care s e r v i c e s without forma a u t h o r i t y or r e c o g n i t i o n or r e s o u r c e s , ( i e , a d m i n i s t r a t i v e and s t a f f costs.) Recommendation : a. a survey (funded by D.I.A.) to determine extent of time spent by n a t i v e S o c i a l Workers i n p r o v i d i n g C h i l d care s e r v i c e s . b. That n a t i v e S o c i a l Workers be the primary group p r o v i d i n g c h i l d care s e r v i c e s . This means expansion of D.I.A. S o c i a l Develop- ment Program t o i n c l u d e C h i l d Care S e r v i c e s and t h a t the Province be i n v o l v e d only i n p r o v i d i n g s p e c i l i z i e d s e r v i c e s where they are needed. 3. Concern: Band C o u n c i l s do not p l a c e much p r i o r i t y on S o c i a l Development as compared to other programs. Recommendation: T h a t n a t i v e s o c i a l w o r k e r s f a m i l i a r i z e Band C o u n c i l s w i t h t h e S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t P r o g r a m s and t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e " d e v e l o p m e n t a l process o f t h e i r c o m m u n i t i e s . 4 . Concern: D i f f i c u l t y of p l a c i n g c h i l d r e n on the same reserve t h a t they r e s i d e . -43- Recommendation: That a l l B.C. r e s e r v e s develop a c h i l d care Placement system based on exchanging placement of c h i l d r e n among r e s e r v e s . 5. Concern: The desperate lack of h e l p and resources a v a i l a b l e to r u r a l and i s o l a t e d Indian communities. Recommendation: That D.I.A. S o c i a l A s s i s t a n c e r e g u l a t i o n s , and t h a t an a s s o c i a t i o n of n a t i v e S o c i a l Workers s t r e s s the need to develop and/or change programs to s u i t the needs of i s o l a t e d communities. 6. Concern: D.I.A. " C h i l d In Home of R e l a t i v e " s e c t i o n f o r c e s and pressures I n d i a n f a m i l i e s to look a f t e r t h e i r r e l a t i v e c h i l d r e n as t h e i r own without f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e from D.I.A. S o c i a l A s s i s t a n c e program. Recommendation: That a l l n a t i v e c h i l d r e n who are not r e s i d i n g with t h e i r parents and l i v i n g with r e l a t i v e s be c l a s s i f i e d as f o s t e r c h i l d r e n , r e q u i r i n g f i n a n c i a l and other a s s i s t a n c e on the same b a s i s as f o s t e r c h i l d r e n . 7. Concern: H.R. w i l l not give out i n f o r m a t i o n on Indian C h i l d r e n i n care, to Band workers or Band C o u n c i l s . These c h i l d r e n are o f t e n deprived of r i g h t s and p r i v i l e g e s which they may wish to e x e r c i s e (which e x i s t on t h e i r own reserves) eg. l o s s of revenue, i d e n t i t y , s p i r i - t u a l and h e r i t a g e c o n t a c t . Recommendation; A l l Bands should have r i g h t to have any i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e i r c h i l d r e n who are i n the care of H.R. 8. Concern: A l a c k of g u i d e l i n e s f o r the Band S o c i a l Worker t h e r e f o r e t h i s r o l e i s a l s o u n c l e a r to l o c a l Band C o u n c i l s . A l s o a lack of knowledge o f a v a i l a b l e t r a i n i n g f o r Band S o c i a l Workers. Recommendation: An a s s o c i a t i o n of Native S o c i a l Workers i s r e q u i r e d . 9 . Concern: Band workers can't a f f o r d to go t o c o l l e g e or u n i v e r s i t y . -44- Recommendation: A subsidy program ( s u b s i d i z i n g wages) f o r Band s o c i a l workers, e n a b l i n g more workers complete more f o r m a l i z e d t r a i n i n g . In a d d i t i o n a Province wide plan o f f e r i n g t r a i n i n g l e a d i n g to R.S.W. s t a t u s should be implemented immediately and o r g a n i z e d by an a s s o c i a t i o n of n a t i v e S o c i a l Workers. 10. Concern: Lack of s e r v i c e s to n a t i v e people i n urban areas. Recommendation: D.I.A. r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r s t a t u s Indians should not end as soon as people move o f f the r e s e r v e . D.I.A. should be p l a y i n g a r o l e i n a s s i s t i n g the s e t t i n g up of s e r v i c e s f o r n a t i v e people i n urban areas. 11. Concern: C o l l e g e s and u n i v e r s i t i e s should have awareness programs f o r non- n a t i v e students b u i l t i n t o t h e i r c u r r i c u l u m so t h a t these new workers would have a b e t t e r a p p r e c i a t i o n of n a t i v e c u l t u r e , l i f e s t y l e , e t c . Recommendation: N a t i v e i n p u t i n c u r r i c u l u m ' s of c o l l e g e and u n i v e r s i t y s o c i a l work programs. H i r i n g of experienced s t a f f i n t h i s area, to teach at t h i s l e v e l . 12. Concern: Lack of n a t i v e s t a f f i n H.R. programs. Recommendation: H.R. should have n a t i v e s t a f f , as w e l l as n a t i v e resource persons i n each H.R. area. 13. Concern: D i f f i c u l t y of developing programs on r e s e r v e s . Recommendation: A "needs survey" of every reserve or i d e n t i f i a b l e community (groups of r e s e r v e s , - area c o u n c i l , or D i s t r i c t etc.) should be done i n o r d e r to determine the unique needs of each area. T h i s survey should not be done by o u t s i d e r s u n f a m i l i a r with n a t i v e people, t h e i r l i f e s t y l e s e t c . There are s u f f i c i e n t resource people who c o u l d a s s i s t with such a survey. ( i e , s t a f f of Bands who have already developed e x t e n s i v e S o c i a l Development Programs). In o t h e r words t h i s i n v o l v e s b a s i s p l a n n i n g , s t a r t i n g with a.) d e f i n i t i o n of needs, b.) i d e n t i f y i n g resources, and f o l l o w e d by a c.) p l a c e of a c t i o n . T h i s was viewed as the most urgent recommendation because through t h i s o r g a n i z e d p r o c e s s , the people of these communities w i l l learn -45- Group Number 3 - S t e p h e n K o z e y - L e a d e r Workshop B, & C, Summary - N a t i v e S o c i a l Work C o n f e r e n c e S e p t e m b e r 21 - 2 3 , 1977. T o p i c : C h i l d W e l f a r e A c t 1. C o n c e r n : No n a t i v e i n p u t i n r e v i s i o n s t o c h i l d w e l f a r e A c t b e i n g u n d e r t a k e n by V i c B e l k n a p , e g . a n a t i v e c o m m i t t e e s h o u l d be g i v i n g i n p u t in r e g a r d s t o t h e B erger R e p o r t ' s 41 r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s and d i s c u s s i n g how t h e s e c a n be i m p l e m e n t e d . R e c o m m e n d a t i o n : T h a t i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n be t a k e n t o a d v i s e t h e M i n i s t e r o f Human. R e s o u r c e s , and a l l M L A's e t c . o f o u r d e s i r e t o have n a t i v e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n ( c o m m i t t e e ) t o w o r k w i t h V i c B e l k n a p on t h e r e v i s i o n s o f t h e A c t , as t h e y a p p l y t o I n d i a n c h i l d r e n . P e r h a p s a r e s o l u t i o n f r o m t h e c o n f e r e n c e , as w e l l as o t h e r means o f l o b b y i n g s h o u l d be u n d e r t a k e n i m m e d i a t e l y . 2 . C o n c e r n : L a c k o f C h i l d C a r e r e s o u r c e s on r e s e r v e . A l s o n a t i v e s o c i a l w o r k e r s a r e p r o v i d i n g t h e b u l k o f c h i l d c a r e s e r v i c e s w i t h o u t f o r m a l a u t h o r i t y o r r e c o g n i t i o n o r r e s o u r c e s ( i e , a d m i n i s t r a t i v e and s t a f f c o s t s . ) R e c o m m e n d a t i o n : a. ) A s u r v e y ( f u n d e d by D.I.A.) t o d e t e r m i n e e x t e n t o f t i m e s p e n t by n a t i v e S o c i a l W o r k e r s i n p r o v i d i n g c h i l d c a r e s e r v i c e s . b. ) T h a t n a t i v e s o c i a l w o r k e r s be t h e p r i m a r y g r o u p p r o v i d i n g c h i l d c a r e s e r v i c e s . T h i s means e x p a n s i o n o f D.I.A. S o c i a l D e v e l o p m e n t P r o g r a m t o i n c l u d e C h i l d C a r e S e r v i c e s and t h a t t h e P r o v i n c e be i n v o l v e d o n l y i n p r o v i d i n g s p e c i a l i z e d s e r v i c e s where t h e y a r e needed. 3. C o n c e r n : F o r t y p e r c e n t o f c h i l d r e n i n c a r e i n B.C. a r e n a t i v e , y e t p r o p o r t i o n - a t e l y t h e r e i s a l a c k o f r e s o u r c e s p r o v i d e d t o n a t i v e c o m m u n i t i e s by H .R. P o o r d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g by H .R. w o r k e r s i n r e g a r d s t o a p p r e h e n s i o n and p l a c e m e n t . R e c o m m e n d a t i o n : B a n d S o c i a l W o r k e r s s h o u l d have j u r i s d i c t i o n i n p r o v i d i n g C h i l d Care S e r v i c e s on r e s e r v e and H.R s h o u l d be i n v o l v e d o n l y i n s p e c i a l c a s e s a s i n n e c e s s a r y i n t h e o p i n i o n o f Band C o u n c i l w o r k e r s . -46- 4 . C o n c e r n : D.I.A. " C h i l d I n Home o f R e l a t i v e " s e c t i o n f o r c e s a n d p r e s s u r e s I n d i a n f a m i l i e s t o l o o k a f t e r t h e i r r e l a t i v e c h i l d r e n as t h e i r own w i t h o u t f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e f r o m t h e D.I.A. S o c i a l A s s i s t a n c e p r o g r a m . R e c o m m e n d a t i o n : T h a t a l l n a t i v e c h i l d r e n who a r e n o t r e s i d i n g w i t h t h e i r p a r e n t s and l i v i n g w i t h r e l a t i v e s be c l a s s i f i e d as f o s t e r c h i l d r e n , r e q u i r i n g f i n a n c i a l a n d o t h e r a s s i s t a n c e on t h e same b a s i s as f o s t e r c h i l d r e n . -47- Q u e s t i o n s t o NATIONAL HEALTH AND WELFARE 1. We recommend t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d be more a d e q u a t e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s s o h e a l t h r e s o u r c e p e o p l e c a n b e t t e r s e r v e I n d i a n c o m m u n i t i e s . 2. We recommend t h a t a l l p e o p l e , w h e t h e r t h e y a r e on S.A. o r n o t , be g r a n t e d a d e q u a t e m e d i c a l c o v e r a g e , i n c l u d i n g p r o s t h e s i s , e y e g l a s s e s , d e n t a l , e t c . 3. How f a r a d v a n c e d a r e y o u i n t h e p l a n n i n g and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f d r u g and a l c o h o l f a c i l i t i e s f o r Y o u t h ? 4 . What i s t h e f u t u r e o f t h e a l c o h o l abuse p r o g r a m g i v e n t h a t i t s t h r e e y e a r o p e r a t i o n p h a s e i s a l m o s t c o m p l e t e d ? -48- Questions t o M.H.R. 1. Who takes r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a t t h e l o c a l l e v e l r e g a r d i n g which f a c i l i t i e s mentally r e t a r d e d and p h y s i c a l l y handicapped people will be referred to? We would like to see appropriate facilities at the local level. 2. Where i s funding coming from f o r these f a c i l i t i e s ? 3. M.H.R. i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r c h i l d c a r e . Where a r e t h e f u n d s and where a r e t h e s e r v i c e s ? I t i s h e r e b y recommended t h a t M.H.R. fund a s t u d y t o d e t e r m i n e t h e a c t u a l s e r v i c e s a l r e a d y p r o v i d e d a t t h e band l e v e l . 4. How many o f these handicapped people do you expect t o employ when f u l l y h e a l t h people are unemployed? How was the Committee set up? Who i s r e s p o n s i b l e t o review these a p p l i c a t i o n s ? 5. We recommend t h a t the band s o c i a l workers assessment be b u i l t i n t o the a p p l i c a t i o n p r o c e s s . 6. We recommend t h a t band s o c i a l workers be i n v o l v e d i n the s c r e e n i n g o f f o s t e r home placements where an Indian c h i l d i s i n v o l v e d . 7. We recommend t h a t a l l B.S.W.'s be c o n s u l t e d before an Indian c h i l d i s apprehended. 8. We recommend t h a t i t be mandatory f o r a l l department s t a f f t o undergo c u l t u r a l awareness t r a i n i n g conducted by Indian people. 9. I t i s recommended t h a t bands be a s s i s t e d i n terms of support d o l l a r s so t h a t band s o c i a l workers could more a p p r o p r i a t e l y c a r r y out t h e i r t a s k s . Questions to D.I.A. 1. What i s the i n t e n t i o n of the C.I.H.R. review? Has the a u t h o r i t y of the band s o c i a l worker been f r o z e n ? 2. I f i t has been f r o z e n , i s t h a t g e n e r a l p o l i c y ? I f i t i s n o t g e n e r a l p o l i c y , why has t h e r e been s e l e c t i v e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e f r e e z e t o some d i s t r i c t s and n o t t o o t h e r s ? 3. I t i s hereby recommended t h a t a l l f o s t e r i n g or c h i l d care r e g a r d i n g Indian c h i l d r e n be the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of Indian people, through t h e i r e l e c t e d c o u n c i l s and h i r e d s t a f f , and t h a t such care r e c o g n i z e the Indian form of f a m i l i e s , c u l t u r e and a t t i t u d e . 4. I t i s hereby recommended t h a t an Indian committee be i n - v o l v e d i n the r e v i s i o n of the c h i l d w e l f a r e act now being c a r r i e d out by the Min. of Human Resources. 5. What are the p o l i c y changes and recommendations t h a t are being formulated at the p r o v i n c i a l and f e d e r a l l e v e l s of government r e g a r d i n g s o c i a l s e r v i c e s t o Indian people? 6. Could funds be made a v a i l a b l e f o r l e g a l fees r e g a r d i n g adoptions? Can you s p e l l i t out? 7. I t i s hereby recommended t h a t o p e r a t i n g band budgets should not be t i e d to S.A. budgets, as t h i s i m p l i e s t h a t the harder we work t o get people o f f w e l f a r e , the l e s s our bands get i n terms of o p e r a t i n g budgets. 9. I t i s h e r e b y recommended t h a t t h e B.S.W.'s have t h e authority t o d e t e r m i n e t h e need f o r Homemaker s e r v i c e s b e c a u s e t h e y a r e most f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e t o t a l s i t u a t i o n o f t h e c a s e . The a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e p r o v i s i o n o f Homemaker s e r v i c e s c o u l d be h o s p i t a l i z a t i o n o r o t h e r i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z a t i o n w h i c h w o u l d be more c o s t l y and c r e a t e u n n e c e s s a r y s e p a r a t i o n and i s o l a - t i o n o f t h e f a m i l y u n i t . 9 . How f a r a l o n g a r e t h e M i n i s t e r s o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s and Human R e s o u r c e s i n t h e i r d i s c u s s i o n s r e g a r d i n g who w i l l be r e - s p o n s i b l e f o r p a r t i c u l a r s e r v i c e s ? Why has t h e r e been* no l o c a l I n d i a n i n p u t i n t o t h i s p r o c e s s ? We demand t h a t t h i s be r e c t i f i e d i m m e d i a t e l y . 10. Do we or don't we have power and a u t h o r i t y re programs? We would l i k e some c l a r i f i c a t i o n . -49- -50- 11. We recommend t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t a l l s e r v i c e s be made a v a i l a b l e t o b a n d s and t h a t t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f b a s i c p o l i c i e s be a p p l i e d u n i f o r m l y t h r o u g h o u t t h e P r o v i n c e . I t i s a l s o recommended t h a t a s y s t e m o f e v a l u a t i o n be e s t a b - l i s h e d , i n c l u d i n g m a j o r I n d i a n r e p r e s e n t a t i o n , t o e n s u r e c o n s i s t e n c y i n t h e a b o v e . 12. We recommend t h a t band c o u n c i l s be c o n s u l t e d b e f o r e s o c i a l s e r v i c e s c h a n g e s a r e i m p l e m e n t e d . 13. I t i s recommended t h a t D.I.A. be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e p r o - v i s i o n o f a l l s o c i a l s e r v i c e s and p r e v e n t a t i v e c a r e s e r v i c e s on r e s e r v e r a t h e r t h a n o t h e r p r o v i n c i a l o r f e d e r a l a g e n c i e s . We a r e t i r e d o f b e i n g s h u n t e d b e t w e e n g o v e r n m e n t b u r e a u - c r a c i e s w h i l e o u r p e o p l e s p r o b l e m s go unmet. 14. I t i s recommended t h a t D.I.A. f u n d a l l f u t u r e a n n u a l s o c i a l s e r v i c e c o n f e r e n c e s as w e l l as l o c a l d i s t r i c t e d u c a t i o n a l c o n f e r e n c e s . 15. I t i s h e r e b y recommended t h a t t h e a u t h o r i t y o f t h e band s o c i a l w o r k e r be more c l e a r l y d e f i n e d . 16. I t i s h e r e b y recommended t h a t D.I.A. p e r s o n n e l n o t be h i r e d w i t h o u t e x t e n s i v e c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e l o c a l I n d i a n b a n d s i n v o l v e d . 17. We recommend a s t r e a m l i n i n g o f a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p r o c e d u r e s , i n c l u d i n g a t h o r o u g h h o u s e c l e a n i n g , b e c a u s e we n e v e r see t h e e x p e r t s who a r e s u p p o s e d t o be d e t e r m i n i n g o u r f u t u r e , and when we do see them, we w o u l d r a t h e r t h e y had n e v e r shown up. -51- Appendix VI PROPOSAL FOR RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT WITH RESPECT TO RIGHTS FOR NATIVE INDIAN CHILDREN AND PROTECTION OF NATIVE INDIAN CHILDREN BY INDEPENDENT INDIAN BANDS SUBMITTED BY THE BRITISH COLUMBIA NATIVE WOMEN'S SOCIETY at the 12th Annual Conference of the B r i t i s h Columbia Native Women's Society held October 13th, 14th, at the Dome Motor Inn, 555 West Columbia S t r e e t , in the c i t y of Kamloops, Province of B r i t i s h Columbia. -52- PROTECTION OF INDIAN RIGHTS FOR INDIAN CHILDREN The following RESOLUTIONS were proposed and recommended at British Columbia Native Women's Society Conference, held at the City of Kamloops, B r i t i s h Columbia, on October 13th and l4th, 1979. WHEREAS the General Assembly of the United Nations did on the 9th, 1948, agree, and Canada being a party thereto as follows: That genocide i s a crime under the International law, contrary to the s p i r i t and aims o f the United Nations and condemned by the civil- ized world, and that recognizes that i n a l l periods of history genocide has i n f l i c t e d great losses on humanity; and being convinced, that i n order to liberate mankind from such an odious, scourge, International Co-operation i s required, and that the parries agree as hereinafter pro-vided. (1) The c o n t r a c t i n g p a r t i e s confirm that genocide, whether committed i n time o f peace o r i n time o f war, i s a crime under International Law which they undertake t o prevent and to punish. (2) That i n the present convention, genocide means any o f the f o l l o w i n g a c t s committed with i n t e n t t o destroy, i n whole o r i n p a r t , n a t i o n a l , e t h n i c , r a t i o o r r e l i g i o u s croup as such: (a) K i l l i n g members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberatly i n f l i c t i n g on the group, conditions of l i f e calcu- lated to bring about i t s phsical destruction i n whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children or the group to another group. -53- WHEREAS the Indian Act allows laws o f the province, i e . Adoption A c t , P r o t e c t i o n o f C h i l d r e n A c t , e t c . , t o apply t o Indians where Federal law o r Treaty r i g h t s have not been enacted. Such provision of the Indian A c t i s as f o l l o w s : "Section #88" "Subject t o the terms o f any t r e a t y and any other Act of the Parliament o f Canada, a l l laws of general a p p l i c a - t i o n from time t o time i n f o r c e i n any province are a p p l i c a b l e t o and i n r e s p e c t o f Indians i n the province, except t o the extent t h a t such lews are inconsistent with t h i s Act o r any o r d e r , r u l e , regulation or by-law made thereunder, and except t o the extent that such laws make p r o v i s i o n f o r any matter f o r which provision i s made by o r under t h i s A c t " R.S., c. 149, s. 87. WHEREAS the Adoption A c t o f B r i t i s h Columbia regulate the adop- t i o n o f Indian c h i l d r e n and provides as f o l l o w s : "Section #10" (1) F o r a l l purposes an adopted c h i l d becomes upon adoption, the c h i l d o f the adopting parent, and the adopting parent becomes the parent o f the c h i l d , as i f the c h i l d had been born t o that parent i n l a w f u l wedlock. (2) F o r a l l purposes an adopted c h i l d ceases upon adoption t o be the c h i l d o f h i s e x i s t i n g parents (whether h i s n a t u r a l parents o r h i s adopting parents under a previous adoption), and the e x i s t - i n g parents o f the adopted c h i l d cease t o be h i s parents. - 5 4 - (3) The relationship t o one another of a l l persons (whether the adopted person, the adopting par- ents, the natural parents, or any other persons) s h a l l be determined in accordance with subsections (1) and (2). (4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply, for the purposes of the laws relating to incest and to the prohibited degrees of marriage, to remove any persons from a relationship i n consanguinity which, but for this section, would have existed between them. (4a) The status, rights, privileges, d i s a b i l i t i e s , and limitations of an adopted Indian person acquired as an Indian under the Indian Act (Canada) or under any other Act or Law are not affected by this section. (5) This section i s to be read subject to the provisions of any Act which distinguishes in anyway between persons related by adoption and persons not so related. (6) This section does not apply t o the w i l l of a testator dying before or to any other instru- ment made before the seventeenth day of A p r i l , 1920. (7) This section applies to adoptions made by the Court or by the Provincial. Secretary under leg- i s l a t i o n heretofore i n force. - 5 5 - (8) For the purpose of this section, " c h i l d " includes a person of any age, whether married or unmarried. WHEREAS by operation of the Protection Act of Children of British Columbia, many native Indian children are permanently committed to the care of the Superintendent of Child Welfare and in many instances inevit¬ ably put up for adoption which act i s as follows: "Section, #7" 7. (1) The Superintendent and every person who i s authorized in writing by the Superintendent, every constable or officer of the Provincial police or of any municipal police, and every Probation O f f i c e r , may apprehend without warrant, and bring a Judge, as needing protections, any child apparently under the age of seventeen years who i s within any of the following classes or descriptions: (a) Who i s found begging i n any street , house, or place of public resort, whether actually begging or under pretext of selling or offering anything f o r sale; (b) Who i s found sleeping at night i n other than proper housing accommodation and without proper adult supervision; (c) Who i s found associating or dwelling with a thief, drunkard, or vagrant, or who, by reason of neglect or drunkenness or other vices of the parents or guardians i s suffered to grow up without salutary parental control and education, or in circumstances exposing such child to an idle or dissolute l i f e ; (d) Who i s found i n any disorderly house, or i n company of peo- ple reputed t o be criminal, immoral, or disorderly; -56- (e) Who i s an orphan without adequate protection for his upbringing; (f) Who has been deserted by h i s parents; (g) Who i s found guilty of petty crimes, and who i s l i k e l y to develope criminal tendencies i f not removed from his surroundings; (h) Who i s found wandering about at late hours and not having any home or settled place or proper guard- ianship ; ( i ) (Repealed. 1959, c. 27, s. 2.) (j) Whose only parent or whose parents are undergoing imprisonment; (k) Whose home by reason of neglect, cruelty, or de- pravity i s an unfit place f o r the child, or who has no proper guardianship, or whose parent or parents are unfit, unable, or unwilling to care properly for him; (L) Who i s subject to such blindness, deafness, feeble- mindedness, or physical d i s a b i l i t y as i s l i k e l y to make him a charge upon the public, or who i s exposed to infection from tuberculosis or from any venereal disease where proper precautions to prevent infection are not taken, or who i s suffering from such a lack of medical or surgical care as i s l i k e l y to interfere with i t s normal development; (m) Who, by reason of the action of his parents or other- wise, i s habitually truant from school and i s liable to grow up without proper education; (n) Who i s neglected so as to be i n a state of habitual vagrancy or mendicancy; (o) Who i s i l l - t r e a t e d so as t o be i n p e r i l i n respect of l i f e , health, or morality by continued personal injury, or by grave misconduct or habitual intemp- erance of the parents; (2a) Every person having information of the abandonment, desertion, physical i l l treatment, or need for pro- tection of a child shall report the information to a children's aid society or t o the Superintendent of Child Welfare or his duly appointed representa- tive ; (b) Clause (a) applies notwithstanding that the infor- mation i s confidential or privileged; WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women 's Society do greatly appreciate that many native Indian children have been adopted by non-Indian families and they do not i n t e n d t o upset these families directly or indirectly not - withstanding such children may have lost their ancestral cultural ident- i t y . WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's Society b e l i e v e that l e g i s l a t i o n should be enacted that would impose d u t i e s on Native Indian parents a n d Native Indian Band Governments, l o c a l o r otherwise which would enable Native Indian c h i l d r e n who have a t l e a s t 25% Indian ancestry blood t o be given t h e opportunity t o develope w i t h i n the background o f h i s or her a n c e s t r a l c u l t u r e . the B.C. Native Women's S o c i e t y f e e l s that i t i s Incumbent upon them t o pursue the r i g h t s o f Native Indian c h i l d r e n and Guarantee end entrench t h e i r r i g h t s i n l e g i s l a t i o n as the Native Indians Communi- t i e s c o n t i n u a l existance depends upon the development o f the complex -57- -58- r e l a t i o n s h i p between the l o c a l band, the family and the i n d i v i d u a l . WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's S o c i e t y f e e l s the present existing l e g i s l a t i o n that a f f e c t s Native Indian c h i l d r e n can be characterized " P a t e r n a l i s t i c " and none representative o f Native Indian concerns and moreover r e f l e c t s non-Indian adults concerns r a t h e r than i n t e r e s t s of the Native Indian c h i l d r e n . WHEREAS the B.C. Native Woman's S o c i e t y f e e l s that the Native Indian c h i l d should not be subjected t o a l u l l i n g i n f l u e n c e i n atmosphere and l e f t l a n g u i s h i n g because o f the importance that e a r l y years have indoc- t r i n a t i n g c u l t u r e , ideas, and language. The time i s now t o have raw leg- i s l a t i o n which w i l l p r o t e c t the a n c e s t r a l c u l t u r e o f Native Indian c h i l d - ren. WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's Society f e e l that a c t i o n i s n eeded and l e g i s l a t i o n must be enacted i n the Native Indian c h i l d p r o t e c t i o n f i e l d . WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's Society f e e l s that there are the f o l l o w i n g b a s i c r i g h t s of n a t i v e Indian c h i l d r e n r e q u i r e d : 1. The r i g h t t o be i n f l u e n c e d by the s p e c i a l a f f e c t i o n , love and understanding of parents with native c u l t u r a l a n c e s t r a l back- ground . 2. The r i g h t t o have s u f f i c i e n t n u t r i t i o n and medical care. 3. The r i g h t t o p r o t e c t i o n against a l l forms o f neglect, or cruelty and e x p l o i t a t i o n . 4 . The r i g h t t o f r e e education and f u l l opportunity f o r play and r e c r e a t i o n . 5. The r i g h t t o a name and the r i g h t t o t h e i r c u l t u r e and the r i g h t t o a n a t i o n a l i t y . S. The r i g h t t o s p e c i a l c a r e , i f handicapped. 7. The r i g h t t o be among the f i r s t t o r e c e i v e r e l i e f i n times of d i s a s t e r . 8. The r i g h t t o l e a r n t o be a u s e f u l member of s o c i e t y and to develope i n d i v i d u a l a b i l i t i e s . -59- 9. The right to be brought up in a s p i r i t of peace and universal brotherhood. WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's Society feel that the e f f e c t of the Indian Act i s t o clothe those to whom i t applies, with a certain status from which various rights arise, and that cultural independence was i m p l i c i t l y guaranteed. The affect of an adoption under the A d o p t i o n Act of B r i t i s h Columbia i n the B.C. Native Women's S o c i e t y view i s to o b l i - terate this s t a t u s and culture. WHEREAS the B.C. Native W omen 's S o c i e t y a l s o f e e l the P r o v i n c i a l Lav of A d o p t i o n or i n other words, P r o v i n c i a l Laws of a p p l i c a t i o n can not operate so as to be inconsistent with the Indian A c t . The B.C. Native Women therefore feel that to the extent that the operation of the Adoption Act w i l l affect the s t a t u s and c u l t u r e of an Indian c h i l d and so extinguish his or her p e c u l i a r r i g h t s as an Indian i s i n c o n s i s - tent with the Indian Act and consequently the Adoption Act of B r i t i s h Columbia should not apply. WHEREAS t h e Adoption Act of B r i t i s h Columbia a l i e n a t e s the Native Indian child from the culture in which his parents have been brought up, i t should be made law that i t does not apply t o the Native Indian c h i l d - ren. WHEREAS the Adoption Act states t h a t the rights of Native Indian children are protected but i t must be emphasized t h a t I n f a c t such c u l t - ural r i g h t s are not guaranteed to the Native Indian child upon p l a c e - ment i n the hands of the Superintendent of Child Welfare who i s not a member of any Indian Band. WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women feel that for Native Indian c h i l d r e n there must be much more Involved i n the prescribed criterion that does presently exist under the Adoption Act of British Columbia In order t o be eligable t o adopt a Native Indian child. -60- WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's Society feels that there i s much more involved then providing the necessities of l i f e , sustenance, clothing, shelter, food, and warmth, to the raising of a Native Indian child and that special care should be involved, to look after the c h i l d , to guide the child, to supervise the c h i l d , and even to go beyond that and to direct activities of the child which w i l l not destroy the c h i l d and w i l l not allow the child to be a menace to others. WHEREAS the B.C. Native Women's Society have an interest i n every Na tive Indian child i n the community; f o r i t i s understood that what our Native Indian children become w i l l be reflected i n what the community i s going to be And what we do t o our Native Indian children we are doing to the community and t o ourselves. And that i f we look after them and make opportunities available t o them and give them the opportunity to take advantages of those opportunities, those Native Indian children w i l l profit by what we can give them and i n the long run we w i l l be the gainer by what we have accorded to our children. WHEREAS t h e B.C. Native Women's Society f e e l s that what we can accord i s t o our Native Indian c h i l d i s a duty; what we are t o prevent i s equally a duty When a Native Indian c h i l d does have a r e n t a l o r emotional disturbance or what ever the case may be. I t i s a duty o f the Native Indian Community through the i n s t r u m e n t a l i t i e s s e t up by the community t o do everything t o prevent the acts which may be only temporary from becoming a permanent s t a t e o f mind. THEREFORE as most adoptions are handled through Children's Aides Society or Human Resources o r the C a t h o l i c C h i l d r e n A i d S o c i e t y who place c h i l d r e n i n adoptive homes and no d i r e c t Native Indian p a r t i c i p a t e s i n such procedure that Chiefs and C o u n s e l l o r s o f members t o a p a r t i c u l a r Indian Bend who i s g i v i n g a c h i l d up f o r adoption be granted the r i g h t t o place such a c h i l d and t o review a p p l i c a t i o n s o f persons wanting t o adopt such c h i l d r e n and that the Indian a n c e s t r a l f a c t o r be regarded as important i n agency placements. -61- BE IT FURTHER THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Indian Act be ammended to include the following: a. THAT the present j u r i s d i c t i o n of the procedure of protection of native Indian c h i l d r e n held by the P r o v i n c i a l Government of Canada be forwith discontinued and that the Federal Government of Canada make l e g i s - l a t i o n in the unoccupied f i e l d of the procedure and administration of the manner by which Native Indian children are to be protected pro- vided that the Indian Band Councils of Canada so adopt and recommend Such procedure of administrating the manner by which Native Indian children are to be protected. b. THAT Indian Band Councils and committee, selected by members of the Native Indian Band be given the j u r i s d i c t i o n of child protection of any of i t s members provided that such mother or parents so consent; c. THAT where a member of an Indian Band places a c h i l d for adoption whether l e g i t i m a t e or i l l i g i t i m a t e the Band Council of such member be given the adoption r e f e r a l to review and to discuss seme w i t h the member, in f u l l confidence, and to have established a central review agency located i n the province of B r i t i s h Columbia made up of committees appointed by the Indian Bands and the province of B r i t i s h Columbia who would in turn review a l l applications requesting a Native Indian c h i l d for adoption and s e l e c t i n g Native Indian children f o r such a p p l i c a n t . BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER RESOLVED that a committee be struck to inves- t i g a t e and to set up a procedure by which such committee for adopting Native Indian c h i l d r e n can be implemented in the province of B r i t i s h Columbia and that Such committee do within six months from the date hereof make recommendations as to the implementations o f procedure f o r adopting Native Indian children i n the province of B r i t i s h Columbia. BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the B.C. Natives Women's Society make a p p l i c a t i o n to the Department of Indian A f f a i r s or other funding agencies to receive funding to pay for the review committee researching Native Rights for Native Indian C h i l d r e n . -62- DULY AUTHORIZED BY: PRESIDENT Mildred Gottfriedson MC 1ST VICE Lorraine LeBourdais 2ND VICE A l i c e Klassen 3RD VICE Barbara Wyss SECRETARY Winnifred Lulu TREASURER Diane Morgan -63- B I B L I O G R A P H Y Amacher, Kloh-Anne, and Mair, Ken. Apprehensions of N a t i v e C h i l d r e n i n Vancouver. Vancouver, J u l y , 1978 - June 1979. Berger, Thomas, R. Report of the Royal Commission on Family and C h i l d r e n ' s Law. Vancouver, B.C. Second Report. March 19, 1974. T h i r d Report. A p r i l 10, 1974. F o u r t h Report. The Family, the C o u r t s , the Community. February 12, 1975. F i f t h Report. Part I - The L e g i s l a t i v e Framework. March, 1975. F i f t h Report. P a r t I I - The S t a t u s of C h i l d r e n Born to Unmarried Parents. March, 1975. F i f t h Report. P a r t I I I - C h i l d r e n ' s R i g h t s . March, 1975. F i f t h Report. P a r t V - The P r o t e c t i o n of C h i l d r e n ( C h i l d Care) March, 1975. Seven Report. F a m i l y Maintainence. June 1975. Tenth Report. N a t i v e F a m i l i e s and the Law. May, 1975. E l e v e n t h Report. Change of Name. June, 1975. T w e l f t h Report. The M e d i c a l Consent of Minors. August, 19 75. Canadian C o u n c i l on S o c i a l Development. Canadian Conference on S o c i a l Development 1973 Proceedings: Commitment t o Human Welfare. Vancouver, June 19 78. M i n i s t e r o f I n d i a n and Northern A f f a i r s . Indian C o n d i t i o n s . Ottawa. October, 1980. -64- N a t i o n a l C o u n c i l of W e l f a r e . The Refundable C h i l d Tax C r e d i t : What i t it...How i t works. Brooke C l a x t o n B u i l d i n g , Ottawa. August, 1978. Sanders, Douglas. Cases and M a t e r i a l s on N a t i v e Law. T h i r d E d i t i o n . December, 1976. Sanders, Douglas. F a m i l y Law and N a t i v e People. Law Reform Commission of Canada, 1975. Union of B r i t i s h Columbia Indian C h i e f s . A Survey of Adoption and C h i l d Welfare S e r v i c e s t o Indians of B r i t i s h Columbia. February, 1974.

Part of Statement of Native Indian concerns re: Child Welfare Services in British Columbia

Indian Child Caravan

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