The Protecteur du citoyen has released a report on youth protection services provided to First Nations and Inuit communities in Québec as part of its mandate to follow up on the calls for action of the Viens Commission. The report focuses on the trajectories of Indigenous children and youth as well as their families.
The overrepresentation of Indigenous children in youth protection is a persistent issue that concerns the Protecteur du citoyen.
Serious and recurring problems
Consultations with service providers from First Nations and Nunavik communities, as well as Native Friendship Centres brought out the following issues:
- All too often, the DYP remains the first point of contact for family and youth services. The lack of access to preventive services that promote cultural safety is a major contributing factor to this situation.
- The voices of children, youth, parents and First Nations and Inuit organizations are not being heard enough.
- The rights of First Nations and Inuit children and youth are not always known or respected.
- Various barriers hinder the development of trusting relationships between Indigenous organizations and the public system, making it difficult to provide effective and coordinated services.
Progress observed on the ground
Improvements have been made thanks to the commitment of First Nations and Inuit to have their rights recognized and to a growing desire for collaboration on the part of stakeholders in the health and social services network.
- First Nations and Inuit are establishing services that reflect their values and meet the needs of their children, families and communities.
- Some DYPs have built expertise within their teams and developed lasting relationships with Indigenous organizations in their region.
- Legislative changes now recognize the well-being and best interests of First Nations and Inuit children, as well as the right of these communities to manage their own children and family services.
Strengthening practices to bring about lasting change
The Protecteur du citoyen has issued six recommendations to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Santé Québec and the National Director of Youth Protection. They aim to provide practical support for community-led approaches, ensure respect for the rights of First Nations and Inuit children and youth, and strengthen collaboration between First Nations and Inuit social service providers and the health and social services network.
Since 2021, the Protecteur du citoyen has been monitoring the implementation of the calls for action of the Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec (the Viens Commission). This is the second follow-up report, focusing on 13 calls for action in youth protection, following a previous comprehensive report in 2023. The Protecteur du citoyen conducts its monitoring activities in collaboration with an Advisory Circle composed of representatives from First Nations and Inuit organizations.
