Social Services of Alberta INTRODUCTION The general purpose of thi

THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS

The most important group of stakeholders in relation to Social Services' activities involving the placement of native children are the children themselves. Depending upon their age and development, these children may not be able to express any expectations with respect to the agency; however, they do expect a stable and caring family environment, and to be treated as worthwhile individuals, as opposed to pawns or undesirables. The second most important group of stakeholders are the native families of which these children are a part, and this group is followed closely in importance by the various

1 2Indian bands. The native families and the Indian bands expect Social Services to provide assistance and protection where required, while, at the same time, preserving to the maximum extent feasible with the welfare of the children, the integrity of native fami

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e Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted into law in 1978, in response to complaints that state agencies were removing Indian children from uneducated and poor parents who (1) were not aware of their rights, and (2) could not afford to pursue those rights, when they were aware of them. The Act provided safeguards for native children, native families, and 7Indian bands (referred to as tribes in the US) in cases involving child welfare services (U.S. Public Law 95608, 1978). These safeguards provided specific guidelines to be applied in the removal of native children from parental custody, and in the placement of these children in alternative situations. The Act also dealt specifically with the matter of jurisdiction. The US law concerning the welfare of native children has no direct impact on the Canadian situation. As Canada has not enacted similar sweeping legislation at the federal level, however, the US law does provide some insights as to actions required in Canada. The US Act was intended to prevent the breakup of native families, through the establishment of standards for the placement of native children in foster or adoptive homes (National American India
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Approximate Word count = 3454
Approximate Pages = 14 (250 words per page)