Sixties scoop

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The Sixties scoop was the mass non-consensual removal of Indigenous children from their families and into the child welfare system during the 1950s-80s; term coined by Patrick Johnston to describe the stealing of Indigenous children from their communities and culture to be placed in non-Indigenous, middle-class households that reached its peak during the 60s; legacies of the Sixties Scoop continue to exist in the drastic overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. -Indigenous Foundations [1]


Consequences of the Sixties Scoop

Indigenous Peoples disconnected from their culture, families and Nations 

  • Many people lost their heritage and sense of belonging, in addition to being forced out of their families. [2]
  • Survivors had to live through years of linguistic, spiritual and legal loss.

Abuse by adoptive families

  • Many surviving adoptees reported physical, emotional and sexual abuse from the families they were placed with. [3]

Overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system

  • According to the 2016 census, Indigenous children account for 7.7% of the total child population of Canada, but 52.2% of children in foster care. [4]


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