Abuse of First Nations Children

SSW 101 - Urban Sociology

Humber College
Elaine Belore
Mikayla Paonessa
October 9, 2014

Definition of Social Issue

Abuse of First Nations children has been an ongoing social issue for many years in
Canada. When it comes to abuse in the First Nations tribes, children are the most vulnerable.
Children are especially vulnerable to the different forms of abuse (Pinheiro, P.S., 2006). These
forms of abuse are, children with disabilities, alcohol and drug abuse, orphaned children,
residential schools, living and working on the street and poverty (Pinheiro, P.S., 2006). These
forms of abuse all play a contributing factor in making the native children vulnerable.

Who does it Impact?

The group that is impacted by this social issue are First Nations children. This is because
of the lack of education on abuse. Most children are abused within residential schools causing
emotional, physical and sexual damage to occur. According to J.R. Miller, enforced loneliness in
residential schools is a form of abuse that probably did the most harm because it was the most
pervasive and enduring done to students (Miller, J.R., 1996:337). The impact of physical and
sexual abuse, on native children, from being in residential schools continued into their
community life, leading to public humiliation and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(Miller, J.R., 1996). Many students who have been at former residential schools were diagnosed
with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, like war pertains, due to abuse in the past (Miller, J.R.,
1996). Therefore, the first nations children are being negatively affected by the lack of education
and poverty.

What are the Impacts?

The impacts of First Nations child abuse are poverty, child welfare, and exposure to
violence, poor health, residential school experiences, and sexual exploitation. Poverty is the main
reason why most of these problems exist. Poverty in aboriginal children is at a rate of 30%
comparing to non-aboriginal children at the rate of 15% (Women and Poverty, 2005). The
government doesnt provide enough financial aid to the native people. This causes the child
welfare issue. Nearly 40% of aboriginal children are placed in home care due to child welfare
(Statistics Canada, 1996, p.171). The exposure that the first nations children experience at home
and school negatively affect the childs overall wellbeing. Majority of native children offreserves have been exposed to family violence (A Statistical Profile, 2006). The physical and
mental health of native children are poorer than other Canadians (Abuse of First Nations
Children, p. 5). Many aboriginal children have the tendency towards suicidal thoughts or actions.
This is because of the emotional and physical abuse as well as the racism that is present in the
communities. Furthermore, alcoholism and drug abuse create more problems within the
communities. The experience in residential schools further traumatises the native children.
Lastly, the aboriginal children were made to believe that the sexual exploitation that was forced
onto them was deserved (Save the Children Alliance, 2005).

Why does this Problem Exist?

Abuse of First Nations children exist because as a result of a number of socio-economic
factors, First Nations children are vulnerable to experiencing violence and are disproportionately

subject to sexual exploitation and abuse relative to other children in Canada. Research studies
have demonstrated that, as the gap in income equality widens, the social environment
deteriorates, trust decreases, involvement in the community declines, population health
deteriorates, and the incidences of hostility and violence increase (Wilkinson, R. 2000). Research
has also determined that children who experience long periods of poverty between the ages of 0
and 5 years or in their early teen years are more likely to commit crime (Jarjoura, G., et al. 2002).
Due to the problem with poverty it creates more problems that cannot be solved unless poverty is
dealt with first. One way poverty can be solved is by the Canadian Government to provide more
support and financial aid to the First Nations.

What are Community/Social Work Responses to the Issue?

The World Report on Violence Against Children in an organization that has identified key
principles that address forms of violence experienced by children. These key principles are
building blocks to an action plan that will create; no violence against children, all violence
against children is preventable, and children have the right to express their views. Another way
for native children to find help with abuse would be to attend a traditional healing circle. The
healing circle is a spiritual heal process by going through different movements. Some of the
movements include the smudging ceremony and burning of different medical herbs. With each
movement the person being healed will overcome any abuse, illness or hurt that they have felt,
by talking to the circle about anything they want to with no time limit. Others respect this with
silent listening, which encourages the individual to feel safe and to share (Graveline, 1998;
Metallic &

Dessertine, 1990; Stevenson, 1999). The healing circle helps connect the body for the purpose of
fully realising painul emotions (Antone & Hill, 1990; Meawasige, 1995).

Experience and Opinion about the Topic.

How has the issue directly or indirectly impacted you? Do you agree or disagree with the
research covered. Please explain.
This issue has directly and indirectly impacted me. Although I have native decent, I did
not personally go through the experience of child abuse. This impacts me directly because down
the family line of my native relatives, I do not know whether or not they have experienced the
traumatic events as children. This also affects me indirectly because I have not experienced child
abuse, but greatly feel torn that young children have to suffer the pain and emotion of going
through something so traumatic. I agree with the research covered because even today first
nations children are going through such events and traumatic experiences. With the research I
have conducted it makes me feel dissatisfied with the Canadian Government. Reasons for this
dissatisfaction are, the Canadian government could have done a lot more funding to help protect
the first nation children. The government also could have stopped the residential schools and in
place rebuild school that help regain the traditional aboriginal culture. In conclusion, I do agree
with my findings.

References
Antone, B., & Hill, D. (1990). Traditional healing: Helping our people lift their burdens.
London, ON: Tribal Sovereignty Associates.
A Statistical Profile. (2006). Family Violence in Canada. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of
Canada.
Beijing +10 Fact Sheet: Women and Poverty. (2005). Status of Women Canada.
Graveline, F. J. (1998). Circle works: Transforming eurocentric consciousness. Halifax, NS:
Fernwood.
Jarjoura, G., et al. (2002). Growing up poor: examining the link between persistent child poverty
and delinquency. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 18, 159-187.
Miller, J.R. (1996). Shingwauks Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press.
Pinheorp,P.S. (2006). World Report on Violence Against Children: United Nations Secretary
Generals Study on Violence Against Children.
Save the Children Alliance. (2005). 10 Essential Learning Points: Listen and Speak Out against
Sexual Abuse of Girls and Boys. Global Submission by the International Save the Children
Alliance to the UN Secretary-Generals Study on Violence against Children. Oslo: Save the
Children Norway.
Sexual Exploitation/Abuse of First Nations Children. P. 5.
Retrieved From:
http://www.fsin.com/healthandsocial/childportal/images/Sexual%20Abuse
%20of%20FN%20children.pdf

Statistics Canada. (1991). Census, RCAP 1996. P. 171.

Wilkinson, R. (2000). Mind the Gap: Hierarchies, Health and Human Evolution. London:
Weidenfield & Nicholson.