Indigenous child welfare system remains dysfunctional
The ’60s Scoop is back in the news again. And we’re no closer to a solution to a problem that has plagued the nation for generations.
The federal government has set aside $875 million for Indigenous adults who were adopted into non-Indigenous homes in the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s. Those who accept the money don’t have to prove they suffered any harm. They automatically qualify because they’re Indigenous and adopted during the relevant time period. Others are filing lawsuits seeking specific damages. In total, taxpayers may be on the hook for billions.
Some of the lawsuits involve claims of adopted Indigenous children used sexually or abused in other ways by adopting parents and siblings.
But, in most cases, there was no such abuse. In fact, in most situations adopting parents did everything a good parent could be expected to do. The reality is that most parents who made the brave decision to adopt an Indigenous child were exceptional people. And many adoptions were successful, with children growing up in stable, loving homes.