Indigenous youth find themselves on the streets for a multitude of reasons. The causes and consequences of life on the street are well known and include a troubled family life, domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, trauma, inadequate housing, poverty, substance use, mental health issues and involvement in the child welfare system. Just like Indian boarding schools, child protection is rooted in colonization as it continues to remove children from their communities rather than providing the necessary programs and services to keep families together to care for their children. States would rather pay foster parents or group homes or institutions to disrupt families than providing financial support to families.
This webinar will not only focus on what led to their housing status, it will look at how some Indigenous youth were able to move off the streets. It will also explore prevention strategies and what can be done to prevent youth homelessness, such as: keeping families intact; incorporating traditional and cultural practices; training social workers in the child welfare system; creating housing opportunities, ensuring safety and addressing the effects of colonization on Indigenous families and communities.
