Understanding the Sixties Scoop

Who coined the term 'Sixties Scoop', and what was the context?

The term was coined by Patrick Johnston, the author of the 1983 report 'Native Children and the Child Welfare System'. He learned about the practice from a B.C. social worker who described the common practice of 'scooping' newborn children from their mothers on reserves.

What is the significance of the term 'Sixties Scoop'?

The term 'Sixties Scoop' refers to the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into the child welfare system, primarily during the 1960s, without the consent of their families or bands.

How does the 'Sixties Scoop' relate to the larger history of Aboriginal child apprehension?

The 'Sixties Scoop' refers to a particular phase of a larger history of removing Aboriginal children from their families, such as the residential school system. However, the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in the child welfare system accelerated drastically during the 1960s.

What was the typical outcome for Aboriginal children who were 'scooped' during the 1960s?

In most cases, the Aboriginal children who were 'scooped' were placed into middle-class Euro-Canadian families. Signup and view all the answers

How does the text characterize the government's response to the 'Sixties Scoop' and its impacts?

The text states that the government began phasing out compulsory residential school education in the 1950s and 1960s as the public became aware of its devastating impacts on families. Signup and view all the answers

What was the general belief of government authorities regarding the education of Aboriginal children at the time?

The general belief was that Aboriginal children could receive a better education if they were transitioned into the public school system. Signup and view all the answers

How did the transition to provincial services in 1951 affect the number of Aboriginal children in provincial care in British Columbia?

The number of Aboriginal children in provincial care in British Columbia increased from 29 in 1951 to 1,466 by 1964. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the issues with the way social workers approached Aboriginal communities and families?

Many social workers were unfamiliar with Aboriginal culture and history, and judged families based on middle-class Euro-Canadian values. They assumed families were not providing proper care if their homes did not match Euro-Canadian standards, and felt a duty to protect children from social problems on reserves. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of all children in care were Aboriginal by the 1970s?

By the 1970s, roughly one third of all children in care were Aboriginal. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into the child welfare system during the 'Sixties Scoop'?

The primary reason for the mass removal of Aboriginal children during the 'Sixties Scoop' was without the consent of their families or bands. The text states that the 'Sixties Scoop' refers to the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into the child welfare system, in most cases without the consent of their families or bands. Signup and view all the answers

How did the 'Sixties Scoop' relate to the larger history of Aboriginal child apprehension in Canada?

The 'Sixties Scoop' was part of a larger history of removing Aboriginal children from their families and communities, first through the residential school system and then through the child protection system. The text states that 'the legacy of removing children from their families and communities, first through the residential schools, and then through the child protection system, continues to impact the lives of these mothers, their children and their grandchildren.' Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the term 'Sixties Scoop' according to the text?

The term 'Sixties Scoop' was coined by Patrick Johnston, author of the 1983 report 'Native Children and the Child Welfare System'. The text states that the term 'refers to the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into the child welfare system, in most cases without the consent of their families or bands'. Signup and view all the answers

How did the 'Sixties Scoop' impact the lives of Aboriginal mothers, their children, and their grandchildren according to the text?

According to the text, 'the legacy of removing children from their families and communities, first through the residential schools, and then through the child protection system, continues to impact the lives of these mothers, their children and their grandchildren'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the typical outcome for Aboriginal children who were 'scooped' during the 1960s, based on the information provided in the text?

The text does not provide information about the typical outcome for Aboriginal children who were 'scooped' during the 1960s. The passage focuses more on the reasons for and impacts of the 'Sixties Scoop', rather than the specific outcomes for the children themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What cultural biases or misunderstandings contributed to the apprehension of Aboriginal children during the 'Sixties Scoop'?

Social workers were generally unfamiliar with Aboriginal culture and history. Their understanding of proper care was based on middle-class Euro-Canadian values, leading them to misinterpret traditional Aboriginal practices like diet and housing. Signup and view all the answers

How did the 1951 amendment enabling provincial services for Aboriginal people impact the number of Aboriginal children in care?

The number of Aboriginal children in provincial care in British Columbia increased drastically, from 29 in 1951 to 1,466 by 1964. Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in the child welfare system during the 'Sixties Scoop'?

Social workers lacked training in dealing with Aboriginal communities, misunderstood traditional practices as neglect, and apprehended children from impoverished but caring homes without consent or due process. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Child, Family and Community Services Act of 1980 attempt to address issues surrounding the apprehension of Aboriginal children?

The Act required social workers to notify the band council if an Aboriginal child was removed from the community. Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship between the phasing out of residential schools and the acceleration of the 'Sixties Scoop'?

As residential schools were phased out in the 1950s and 1960s, it led to a transition of Aboriginal children into the provincial child welfare system, accelerating the apprehension of Aboriginal children during the 'Sixties Scoop'. Signup and view all the answers

Understanding the Sixties Scoop

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