Touchstones of Hope for First Nations children and families in BC
The over-representation of First Nations children in child welfare care has been a longstanding problem in Northern BC and across Canada. In 2005, Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders in child welfare came together to develop principles to guide the re-visioning of child welfare services for Aboriginal children in Canada and the United States. These Touchstone principles are meant to be interpreted within the distinct cultures and contexts of Aboriginal communities. To learn more, visit Reconciliation in Child Welfare: Touchstones of Hope for Indigenous children, youth and families.
The ultimate goal of the Touchstones of Hope movement is to engage communities in the redesign of child welfare so that it better serves Aboriginal children, youth and families.
First Nations communities in Northern BC and the Ministry for Child and Family Development are the first in Canada to initiate a broad based movement to implement the Touchstones of Hope principles throughout the child welfare system.
What's New
Posted March 20, 2012
We invite you to see read the Spring newsletter!
Posted December 13, 2011
Help a First Nations youth go to the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child in February 2012 for equity in First Nations education!
Posted August 2, 2011
Touchstones Report
Read about the work that has been done in northern British Columbia with the Touchstones of Hope!
Posted June 6, 2011
Touchstones of Hope Tool Kit
The work of Northern BC Touchstones inspired the creation of the 2011 Touchstones of Hope Tool Kit. The Tool Kit is designed to guide communities in beginning their own Touchstones reconciliation process and in turn, become part of the larger movement toward reconciliation in child welfare.
For updates on the First Nations child welfare tribunal, click here: www.fnwitness.ca