The Knowledge Keeper’s Library

Knowledge to
carry the work forward.

Reports, standards, legislation and research informing the AOPSI redesign.

29 resources · All categories

Key Materials

Starting From A Traditional Place (2012)

Draft standards for culturally grounded, Circle-based Aboriginal child and family services practice.

Open document

Key Materials

Aboriginal Policy & Practice Framework in BC (APPF)

Overarching framework guiding restorative, culturally grounded policy and practice.

Open document

History of Approved AOPSI

1999 — Original Standards

Initial framework defining expectations for governance, service delivery, and practice.

Open document

History of Approved AOPSI

2005 — Revised Standards

Updated standards incorporating learning from early adoption and sector input.

Open document

History of Approved AOPSI

2009 — Revised Standards

Streamlined operational standards clarifying roles, processes, and accountability.

Open document

1. Legal Foundations & Rights

Child Rights Framework

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

A global human rights agreement that establishes children’s rights to safety, development, identity, family, culture, and participation.

Key takeaways

The best interests of the child must guide decisions.
Children have the right to identity, culture, and family.
Children should have a voice in decisions affecting them.

Open document

Indigenous Rights & Self-Determination

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (2007)

A foundational international declaration recognizing the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples, including rights to self-determination, culture, governance, lands, and participation in decisions affecting them.

Key takeaways

Indigenous Peoples have the right to self-determination.
Governments must respect Indigenous rights, laws, cultures, and governance systems.
Free, prior, and informed consent is central to rights-based decision-making.

Open document

Implementation of UNDRIP in British Columbia

Declaration Act Action Plan (2022)

Government of British Columbia action plan outlining how the province will implement Indigenous rights in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Key takeaways

Policy and legislation must align with UNDRIP.
Indigenous participation in decision-making is required.
Systems must support Indigenous self-determination.

Open document

2. Foundational Direction in British Columbia

Indigenous Self-Determination in Child Welfare

Liberating Our Children (1992)

A landmark BC report from community matriarchs calling for Indigenous control over child welfare services.

Key takeaways

Nation self-determination and jurisdiction over child and family services are essential to the wellbeing of children and communities.
Child welfare must support cultural identity and nation rebuilding.
Prevention and community support should replace removal-focused systems.

Open document

Foundation Direction in BC

Calling Forth Our Future (2002)

A foundational paper from the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs grounded in Indigenous Peoples' inherent right of Self-Determination, suggesting ways for the assertion and exercise of jurisdiction in the area of child welfare.

Key takeaways

The paper equates provincial delegated child-welfare authority with assimilationist policies that continue Indigenous colonization.
It affirms that the only viable alternative is recognizing and supporting Indigenous Peoples’ inherent right to self-determination.
Indigenous jurisdiction over child care and protection requires decolonization grounded in revitalized traditional laws.

Open document

Culturally appropriate, restorative care for Indigenous children, youth, and families.

Aboriginal Policy & Practice Framework (2015)

An overarching framework intended to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, youth, families, and communities through restorative policies and practices.

Key takeaways

Cultural safety and humility are foundational.
Practice must be relational and strengths-based.
Indigenous identity and community connections are central to wellbeing.

Open document

3. System Reviews & Accountability

The Gove Inquiry (1995)

A major public inquiry led by Judge Thomas J. Gove following the death of five-year-old Matthew Vaudreuil, examining the adequacy of child protection policies, practices, and oversight in British Columbia’s child welfare system. This inquiry invigorated a systemic risk-averse approach to child protection that relies heavily on documentation and government oversight.

Key takeaways

Resulting in structural reform including stronger monitoring and review of child welfare services and child deaths
Consistent standards and clear roles are needed to protect children
Diverted efforts to build a strengths-based system supporting the self-determination of First Nations

Open document

System Accountability & Reform

BC Children & Youth Review — Hughes Review (2006)

An investigation into failures in BC child welfare following the death of a child in care.

Key takeaways

Strong accountability and oversight systems are needed.
The report helped establish the need for the Representative for Children and Youth’s office.
Solutions to the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care cannot rely only on protection-based child welfare interventions.
Delegated Aboriginal Agencies must be strengthened and properly resourced.

Open document

Systemic Failure & Accountability

Auditor General Report: Management of Aboriginal Child Protection (2008)

An investigation into the death of an Indigenous child and systemic failures in child welfare.

Key takeaways

Government needs to consider policy and outcomes in funding decisions.
The system is not serving the needs of Aboriginal children.
Outcome-based reporting and data must be improved in collaboration with Aboriginal communities.

Open document

Implementation Accountability

RCY Final Progress Report on the Hughes Review (2010)

An assessment of whether recommendations from the Hughes Review were implemented.

Key takeaways

The opportunity to transform the system had not been realized.
There was no clear path for legislative, policy, or standards reform directed at measurable improvement for children and youth.
Tracking outcomes and reporting remained a key concern.

Open document

Indigenous Quality Assurance Models

Quality Assurance Visioning Session Report (2011)

Visioning work exploring how quality assurance could reflect Indigenous values and community accountability.

Key takeaways

Quality assurance should be principle-based and grounded in community values.
Evaluation must measure wellbeing, not just compliance.
Indicators should measure progress toward meaningful outcomes.

Open document

Professional Accountability

Social Work Oversight Engagement Report (2024)

Engagement findings related to social work oversight and professional regulation.

Key takeaways

Professional standards must align with cultural safety.
Oversight structures need clarity and independence.
Practice standards must ensure accountability.

Open document

Systemic Failure & Accountability

Don’t Look Away (2024)

An investigation into the death of an Indigenous child and systemic failures in child welfare.

Key takeaways

There is an urgent need for system transformation toward child and family wellbeing.
Indigenous families continue to face systemic barriers, with tragic consequences.
Indigenous authority must be recognized.
Accountability and transparency must be improved.

Open document

Historical Context of Child Welfare in British Columbia.

Don’t Look Away — Appendix 2: History of Child Welfare in BC (2024)

Historical analysis of Indigenous child welfare policies in British Columbia

Key takeaways

Historical harms continue to shape current systems.
Structural racism must be addressed.
Reform requires systemic transformation.

Open document

4. Indigenous-Led Research & Reconciliation

Approaches for Caring for First Nations Children & Reconciliation

Touchstones of Hope (2005)

A framework emphasizing that Indigenous child welfare requires a grassroots, ground-up approach.

Key takeaways

Reconciliation in child welfare can happen through relating, restoring, truth-telling, and acknowledging.
Communities must be central in defining solutions.
Child welfare reform must be rooted in Indigenous values and relationships.

Open document

Reconciliation & Child Welfare Reform

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015)

Calls to action to address the harms of residential schools and systemic inequities, including urgent reforms in child welfare.

Key takeaways

Ensure Indigenous control over child welfare services.
Reduce the number of Indigenous children in care.
Establish culturally appropriate parenting programs.

Open document

Structural Drivers of Child Welfare Involvement

Root Causes to Root Solutions (2016)

Research examining systemic causes of Indigenous child welfare involvement and proposing community-based solutions.

Key takeaways

Poverty, housing, and colonial policies drive system involvement.
Reunification and prevention should be prioritized.
Community resilience must guide policy.

Open document

Safety of Indigenous Women, Girls & Families

MMIWG Calls to Justice (2019)

A national inquiry outlining actions for addressing systemic violence and social inequities.

Key takeaways

Child welfare reform is linked to family safety and wellbeing.
Indigenous-led services are essential.
Systems must address structural discrimination.

Open document

Youth Voice & Lived Experience in Child Welfare

Justice, Equity, Culture: First Gathering of Youth in Care (2019)

A landmark gathering where youth in care shared their lived experiences and recommendations for improving the child welfare system, emphasizing dignity, belonging, and being heard.

Key takeaways

Youth must have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives and the systems that serve them.
Relationships with trusted adults and consistent support are critical for wellbeing.
Standards should prioritize stability, cultural connection, and youth participation in care planning.

Open document

5. Practice Models & Tools

Indigenous Wellbeing Measurement

Measuring to Thrive (2021)

An outcomes-based framework aligned with Indigenous ways of understanding and measuring child, family, and community wellbeing.

Key takeaways

Outcomes should focus on wellbeing, not just service activity.
Community-defined indicators are critical.
Data governance must respect Indigenous data sovereignty.

Open document

Indigenous Child Welfare Practice Guide

Wrapping Our Ways Around Them (2021)

A practical guide supporting culturally grounded child welfare practice in BC.

Key takeaways

Child welfare must be holistic and family-centred.
Collaboration between agencies and communities is essential.
Culture, language, and kinship are protective factors.

Open document

Indigenous-led Practice Transformation

Walking with Wise Practices (2022–2024)

Collaborative work between Indigenous child and family service agencies in BC and government, exploring Indigenous practice and research approaches to support structural change.

Key takeaways

Relationship-based practice is central to child wellbeing.
System transformation requires shared accountability between Indigenous agencies and government.
The Aboriginal Policy and Practice Framework can support shared goals between collaborating parties.

Open document

6. Expanded Reading

Indigenous Child Welfare & Social Work

Literature Review References (2009)

A list of resources supporting the literature review for Holistic Pathways: Child, Family, Community and Worker Wellness in Indigenous Social Work.

Key takeaways

There is extensive academic research supporting prevention and family-based support for Indigenous children, families, and communities.

Open document

Indigenous Jurisdiction Through Federal Legislation

Implementing Bill C-92: Strengthening Indigenous Jurisdiction and Community Resilience (2025)

Academic analysis of federal legislation recognizing Indigenous jurisdiction over child and family services.

Key takeaways

Bill C-92 affirms Indigenous authority in child welfare.
Implementation requires capacity and funding.
Community resilience strengthens jurisdictional models.

Open document

Historical context

Resource timeline

A chronological index of the dated materials in this library.

Knowledge tocarry the work forward.

Key Materials

Starting From A Traditional Place (2012)

Aboriginal Policy & Practice Framework in BC (APPF)

History of Approved AOPSI

1999 — Original Standards

2005 — Revised Standards

2009 — Revised Standards

1. Legal Foundations & Rights

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (2007)

Declaration Act Action Plan (2022)

2. Foundational Direction in British Columbia

Liberating Our Children (1992)

Calling Forth Our Future (2002)

Aboriginal Policy & Practice Framework (2015)

3. System Reviews & Accountability

The Gove Inquiry (1995)

BC Children & Youth Review — Hughes Review (2006)

Auditor General Report: Management of Aboriginal Child Protection (2008)

RCY Final Progress Report on the Hughes Review (2010)

Quality Assurance Visioning Session Report (2011)

Social Work Oversight Engagement Report (2024)

Don’t Look Away (2024)

Don’t Look Away — Appendix 2: History of Child Welfare in BC (2024)

4. Indigenous-Led Research & Reconciliation

Touchstones of Hope (2005)

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015)

Root Causes to Root Solutions (2016)

MMIWG Calls to Justice (2019)

Justice, Equity, Culture: First Gathering of Youth in Care (2019)

5. Practice Models & Tools

Measuring to Thrive (2021)

Wrapping Our Ways Around Them (2021)

Walking with Wise Practices (2022–2024)

6. Expanded Reading

Literature Review References (2009)

Implementing Bill C-92: Strengthening Indigenous Jurisdiction and Community Resilience (2025)

Resource timeline

Knowledge to
carry the work forward.