A Dark Chapter in Canada’s History
The Sixties Scoop refers to a period in Canadian history when Indigenous children were systematically removed from their families and communities by child welfare services and placed into non-Indigenous foster or adoptive homes, often without the consent of their parents or bands. This practice, which peaked in the 1960s but extended into the 1980s, resulted in the forced assimilation of thousands of Indigenous children, severing their cultural ties and causing long-lasting intergenerational trauma.
The Sixties Scoop is a painful legacy of Canada’s colonial policies, alongside residential schools and the forced relocation of Indigenous communities. This article explores the origins of the Sixties Scoop, its devastating impacts, the legal and political responses, and the ongoing journey toward healing and reconciliation.
Origins of the Sixties Scoop
The Sixties Scoop emerged from a combination of government policies and societal attitudes that viewed Indigenous families as unfit to raise their own children. Several key factors contributed to this mass removal of Indigenous children:
1. The End of Residential Schools
By the mid-20th century, the horrors of Canada’s residential school system were becoming increasingly apparent. As public criticism grew, the government began phasing out these institutions. However, rather than returning Indigenous children to their families, child welfare agencies took over the role of assimilation by placing them in non-Indigenous homes.
2. Changes in Child Welfare Laws
In 1951, amendments to the Indian Act gave provinces jurisdiction over Indigenous child welfare on reserves. Social workers, often operating under racist and paternalistic assumptions, deemed Indigenous parenting inadequate due to poverty, cultural differences, or the lingering effects of residential schools. This led to widespread apprehensions of Indigenous children.
3. Government and Social Worker Bias
Many social workers believed that removing Indigenous children from their communities was in their “best interest.” They operated under the assumption that non-Indigenous middle-class families could provide a “better” upbringing, ignoring the importance of cultural identity and kinship ties.
The Scale of the Sixties Scoop
While exact numbers are difficult to determine due to poor record-keeping, estimates suggest that over 20,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families between the 1960s and 1980s. In some provinces, the numbers were staggering:
- In Manitoba, up to 80% of children in foster care were Indigenous, despite Indigenous people making up only a small percentage of the population.
- In British Columbia, one in three Indigenous children was placed in foster care or adopted out by the 1960s.
Many children were sent to the United States, Europe, or other parts of Canada, completely cut off from their heritage. Some were even adopted internationally, losing all connection to their birth families.
Impacts on Survivors
The effects of the Sixties Scoop were profound and long-lasting, with many survivors struggling with:
1. Loss of Cultural Identity
Children raised in non-Indigenous homes often grew up without knowledge of their language, traditions, or community. This led to a deep sense of dislocation and alienation.
2. Psychological and Emotional Trauma
Many survivors experienced abuse, neglect, or racism in their foster or adoptive homes. Even in loving homes, the loss of their biological family and culture left deep scars.
3. Struggles with Identity and Belonging
As adults, many survivors felt caught between two worlds—neither fully accepted in white society nor able to reconnect with their Indigenous roots.
4. Intergenerational Trauma
The breakdown of family structures and loss of parenting knowledge (due to being raised outside their culture) affected survivors’ ability to parent their own children, perpetuating cycles of trauma.
Legal and Political Responses
For decades, the Sixties Scoop was a silenced part of Canadian history. However, survivors and advocates have fought for recognition, justice, and reparations.
1. Landmark Lawsuits
- 2009: Manitoba Case
The first major class-action lawsuit was filed in Manitoba on behalf of Sixties Scoop survivors. It argued that the federal government failed to protect Indigenous children’s cultural identity. - 2017: Ontario Settlement
In a historic decision, the Canadian government agreed to an $800 million settlement with Sixties Scoop survivors in Ontario. This was the first major acknowledgment of harm caused by the policy. - 2018: National Settlement
The federal government expanded compensation, offering $750 million to survivors across Canada, with additional funds for healing programs and Indigenous-led child welfare reforms.
2. Government Apologies
- 2015: Manitoba Apology
Manitoba became the first province to formally apologize for its role in the Sixties Scoop. - 2018: Federal Apology
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered an official apology on behalf of the Canadian government, acknowledging the trauma inflicted on survivors.
3. Ongoing Advocacy
Despite settlements, many survivors feel that compensation alone is insufficient. Calls continue for:
- Better access to birth records and family reunification programs.
- Increased funding for Indigenous-led child welfare agencies.
- Education for Canadians about the Sixties Scoop’s legacy.
The Path to Healing and Reconciliation
Reconciliation requires more than apologies—it demands systemic change. Some steps forward include:
1. Indigenous-Led Child Welfare
The Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth, and Families (2019) gives Indigenous communities control over child welfare, helping to keep families together.
2. Cultural Reconnection Programs
Many survivors are now reclaiming their heritage through language classes, ceremonies, and community events. Organizations like the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation support this work.
3. Education and Awareness
Incorporating the Sixties Scoop into school curricula ensures future generations understand this history and its ongoing effects.
Conclusion
The Sixties Scoop represents one of Canada’s most devastating colonial policies, ripping thousands of Indigenous children from their families and cultures. While legal settlements and apologies are important steps, true healing requires ongoing efforts to support survivors, restore Indigenous child welfare sovereignty, and educate Canadians about this dark chapter.
As the country moves toward reconciliation, listening to survivors and centering Indigenous voices in policy-making is essential. Only by confronting this painful past can Canada begin to repair the damage and build a more just future for Indigenous peoples.
