Examining the intersection of Indigenous youth in care and law enforcement: challenges, solutions, and collaborative strategies

The disproportionate representation of Indigenous youth in Canada’s child welfare system and their frequent interactions with Law Enforcement underscore deep-rooted structural challenges. My paper seeks to address critical research questions: What are the structural barriers faced by Indigenous youth in care when dealing with Law Enforcement, and how can the objectives of cultural safety and partnership be realized in improving the relationship between Indigenous youth in care and Law Enforcement agencies? Employing a transformative research approach, my study integrates a review of academic and non-academic literature and government reports to comprehensively understand these systemic issues. Focused on Western Canada, where disparities are most evident because it has the highest representation of Indigenous youths in care and disproportionate interactions with Law Enforcement, my study compares similar contexts in the United States and Australia to evaluate how various jurisdictions tackle challenges relating to child welfare, policing, cultural safety with a view to applying the same transferable lessons to Western Canada. My findings underscore the significance of adopting a continuum-of-care approach that integrates welfare, policing, and educational services. My study concludes that consistently implementing culturally competent practices, community-led initiatives, and equitable policy reforms are crucial to achieving cultural safety and fostering meaningful partnerships. Structural changes and sustained resource commitments are imperative to prevent the criminalization of Indigenous youth and promote their overall well-being.