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Rethinking Racine v Woods from a Decolonizing Perspective: Challenging the Applicability of Attachment Theory to Indigenous Families Involved with Child Protection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2019

Peter W. Choate Open the ORCID record for Peter W. Choate [Opens in a new window] ,
Taylor Kohler ,
Felicia Cloete ,
Brandy CrazyBull ,
Desi Lindstrom  and
Parker Tatoulis
Peter W. Choate
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Social Work Mount Royal [email protected]
Taylor Kohler
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Social Work Mount Royal [email protected]
Felicia Cloete
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Social Work Mount Royal [email protected]
Brandy CrazyBull
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Social Work Mount Royal [email protected]
Desi Lindstrom
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Social Work Mount Royal [email protected]
Parker Tatoulis
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Social Work Mount Royal [email protected]
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Abstract

The 1983 case Racine v Woods is the leading child protection case from the Supreme Court of Canada, distinguishing bonding and/or attachment as a more important determinant of best interest for an Indigenous child than cultural connection. Using this case, courts are upholding the permanent placement of Indigenous children in non-Indigenous homes as opposed to placement within their culture. Racine v Woods reflected knowledge of attachment and family at that time but runs counter to current knowledge. Reconsideration of the factors to decide cross-cultural adoption is needed. The essential point is that attachment assessment draws from a dyadic relational theory and is being applied to communal family systems, such as Indigenous systems. Such a review is consistent with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as well as its predecessor, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), and recent Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) decisions.

Résumé

L’affaire de 1983 Racine v Woods est l’affaire la plus importante en matière de protection de l’enfant de la Cour suprême du Canada, distinguant ainsi le lien et/ou l’attachement comme facteur déterminant de l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant plus important que le contexte culturel. En utilisant cette affaire, les tribunaux plaident en faveur du placement permanent d’enfants autochtones dans des foyers non autochtones, par opposition au placement dans leur culture. Racine v Woods reflétait la connaissance de l’attachement et de la famille à ce moment-là mais allait à l’encontre des connaissances actuelles. Un réexamen des facteurs permettant de décider de l’adoption interculturelle est nécessaire. L’essentiel est que l’évaluation de l’attachement s’inspire d’une théorie relationnelle dyadique et s’applique aux systèmes familiaux communs, tels que les systèmes autochtones. Un tel examen est conforme aux appels à l’action de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation (CVR), de la Commission royale sur les peuples autochtones (CRPA), son prédécesseur, ainsi que des décisions récentes du Tribunal canadien des droits de la personne (TCDP).

Keywords

child protectionRacine v WoodsIndigenous child protectionattachment theorytranscultural adoptionprotection de la jeunesseRacine v Woodsprotection des enfants autochtonesthéorie de l’attachementadoption transculturelle
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Law and Society / La Revue Canadienne Droit et Société , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , April 2019 , pp. 55 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Law and Society Association / Association Canadienne Droit et Société 2019 

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Footnotes

*

This paper is the result of a project with Dr. Choate and social work students at Mount Royal University who sought to challenge the application of dominant society assessment processes with Indigenous Peoples. The project was started in ceremony with Elder Charlie Fox of the Kainai First Nation and involved consultation and closing ceremony with Elder Roy Bear Chief of the Siksika First Nation. Elder Bear Chief also gifted the project the name, Ah Ksis To Wap Siiks (Brave Ones). Tobacco was presented to Elders respecting tradition and value of their wisdom.

References

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9 Ibid.

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138 Racine v Woods.

139 A. Stevenson, “The Adoption of Frances T.”

140 Ibid.

141 Racine v Woods.

142 Mount Royal University is located on the traditional lands of the Niitsitapi, Blackfoot Confederacy, and the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations. In addition, the City of Calgary is homeland to Metis Nation Region 3.