Protecting Aboriginal Children

John W. Friesen, University of Calgary:
This little volume fares quite well as a single message book, that message being that historically, child and family practice in Aboriginal communities in British Columbia has been a dismal failure.

Lena Dominelli, President of the International Association of Schools of Social Work, 1996 – 2004, and author of Anti-Oppressive Social Work Theory and Practice:
Protecting Aboriginal Children is a timely and important book. Based on original research, it examines child protection issues and their impact upon First Nations children, their families and practitioners. Although it examines the painful legacy of a long and shameful period in Canadian social work history ... its focus is on how to improve practice in child welfare by recognizing and celebrating difference and ... working in an anti-oppressive manner with First Nations peoples. This book will contribute to the healing processes that will enable practitioners to engage with indigenous children and their families ... in a holistic and respectful manner.

Bill Simon, Elsipogtog First Nation (Mi’kmag), Executive Director, Secwepemc Child and Family Services Agency (2000-05) in Kamloops, BC:
For far too long Aboriginal children have not received the justice and respect that is owed to them, and Protecting Aboriginal Children will go a long way towards rectifying this situation. Dr. Christopher Walmsley has approached the subject of social work practice in the Aboriginal community by paying the utmost respect to the historical perspectives of Aboriginal peoples. He is aware of past social injustices and looks at how justice and respect can be intertwined with the practice of social work. This book is one more step towards gaining a better understanding of a vast array of issues that are being dealt with in the Aboriginal community.