Reconciliation with Indigenous Communities
The child welfare sector, including our agency, has a history of harm and broken trust with Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities. We acknowledge this history and are committed to reconciliation through listening, learning, building respectful relationships, and changing our practices.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) and its Calls to Action provide important guidance for the child welfare sector. We are committed to advancing these calls to action by strengthening culturally safe services, working alongside Indigenous partners, and supporting better outcomes for Indigenous children, youth, and families.
Indigenous Child Welfare Collaborative
CCASH works with the Hamilton Indigenous community and the Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton through the Indigenous Child Welfare Collaborative. Together, we are developing stronger relationships, protocols, and approaches that support culturally appropriate services and help address the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in child welfare.
We recognize that Indigenous children, youth, and families are best supported through partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations that provide culturally grounded guidance, services, and support.
Our Work at CCASH
Our Indigenous Employee Resource Group, led by our Reconciliation Lead, supports our ongoing journey toward reconciliation. The group works to identify barriers within our services, strengthen staff understanding of Indigenous histories and experiences, and promote learning that supports culturally safe and respectful practice.
We continue to build relationships with Indigenous organizations, leaders, and community members while reflecting on our role in addressing the impacts of colonialism and the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in child welfare. We remain committed to listening, learning, and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation.
Heart and Spirit
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CCASH) is committed to strengthening culturally safe and respectful approaches when working with Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities.
As part of this commitment, CCASH has implemented the HEART and SPIRIT Program, developed by the Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario (ANCFSAO). This culturally grounded approach supports Indigenous caregivers who are interested in providing care for Indigenous children and youth while honouring the importance of family, community, culture, and identity.
Bringing HEART and SPIRIT to Hamilton has been a journey of learning, relationship-building, and collaboration. CCASH worked alongside Indigenous partners, community members, Elders, and service providers to complete the required training, planning, and customization process. Our HEART and SPIRIT implementation approach received approval from ANCFSAO in recognition of this commitment and partnership.
Through HEART and SPIRIT, we continue to support culturally connected care and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities, with the goal of helping Indigenous children and youth maintain meaningful connections to their families, cultures, and identities.
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