Study Finds Manitoba CFS Intervened in 50% of First Nations Families Over Two Decades
A new study has uncovered striking data showing that Manitoba’s child welfare system intervened with more than half of all First Nations parents in the province between 1998 and 2019, highlighting ongoing concerns about systemic inequities and the overrepresentation of Indigenous families in the child welfare system.
The research, conducted by the First Nations Family Advocate Office and the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, analyzed decades of data and found that nearly 50% of First Nations parents in Manitoba had some form of contact with Child and Family Services (CFS) during the 21-year period. This includes instances ranging from child apprehensions to less severe forms of intervention such as support services or case monitoring.
In contrast, the study revealed that only about 10% of non-Indigenous parents had similar interactions with CFS during the same time frame—a disparity that advocates say reflects deeply rooted systemic racism and colonial legacies that continue to shape child welfare practices in Canada.
Cora Morgan, the First Nations Family Advocate for Manitoba, described the findings as “devastating but not surprising,” emphasizing that many First Nations families are being punished for living in poverty or lacking access to adequate housing, healthcare, or mental health support. “We need to stop confusing poverty with neglect,” Morgan said. “This system is failing our families and continues to perpetuate cycles of trauma.”
The findings come amid growing calls for reforms to Canada’s child welfare system, particularly in how it engages with Indigenous communities. The federal government’s Bill C-92, which came into effect in 2020, was intended to empower Indigenous governments to assume control over their own child welfare systems. However, progress has been slow, and many communities say provincial agencies continue to dominate the process.
The researchers also noted that early and frequent intervention often leads to children being placed in care—many of whom end up aging out of the system without permanent placements or sufficient support. These children are statistically more likely to experience homelessness, incarceration, and mental health challenges later in life.
Advocates are urging Manitoba’s provincial government to respond with tangible action, including increased funding for prevention services, culturally appropriate family support programs, and greater investment in Indigenous-led child welfare agencies.
In response to the study, Manitoba’s Department of Families issued a statement saying it remains committed to reconciliation and is working closely with Indigenous leadership to transform the child welfare system. However, critics say that meaningful change has been too slow and that more urgent, community-driven solutions are needed.
As this data fuels further national dialogue around reconciliation and systemic inequality, Indigenous leaders are calling for a complete overhaul of how child protection services are delivered in their communities—focusing on keeping families together, rather than tearing them apart.
Source : Swiferadio.com
