Native ward system flawed: ombudsman

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Native people should play a greater role in deciding the future of Native foster children, according to recommendations by the provincial ombudsman.

That will help cut down on confusion within Alberta family and social services, said Harley Johnson.

The welfare of Native foster children has not always been a priority of the government, said the government watchdog.

He has tabled the results of a 16-month study into the handling of Native foster children by social services.

In the 15 recommendations to the department's deputy minister Stanley Remple, Johnson said there needs to be increased Native participation in determining what happens to Native children in the custody of the province.

Johnson said there should be an even number of Natives and non-Natives on the eight-member child welfare appeal panel. And a Native advisory committee should be struck to determine which children are sent back to reserves and when.

Hohnson told Windspeaker that Native leaders and organizations should be given decision-making roles in foster-care programs because of the jurisdictional problems and cultural ignorance within the provincial department.

"Something is wrong with the system," he said.

"There is confusion as to what should be the criteria for repatriation (returning children to their Native homes). We've found decisions were not being made in the child's interest."

The probe, which began Oct. 1988, involved 40 agencies and individuals throughout the province, and found that the people involved in Native foster care were "unfamiliar" with aboriginal culture.

Johnson has recommended mandatory skill classes and cultural awareness training for child care workers and foster parents. He said the number of care givers should be increased and that they should have an enhanced education in Native culture.

He said the provincial children's advocate should also play a more "pro-active" role in foster care by making decisions based on the child's need.

Last year the role of the controversial children's guardian was downsized to that of a children's advocate, who is now required to consider the child's welfare before any repatriation is made.

Before, he was making decisions to place children in foster homes or return them to their natural parents without consulting the child.