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Every Child Matters: Supporting Indigenous Mothers, Children and Families
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day to look back, learn, and move forward with greater understanding.
As we reflect on the children who were separated from their families and cultures, we also have an opportunity to listen to Indigenous voices today and learn from the strength, traditions and relationships that surround Indigenous families.
At Options, we are still learning too. Indigenous peoples are diverse, and this article only highlights some of what we have learned through conversations, research and Indigenous voices. We want to keep learning so that we can be an increasingly welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.
One thing that has especially stood out to us is the beauty of a village that surrounds mothers and children with support and belonging.
When a child matters, the mother matters too
In conversations we have had with Indigenous women, we have heard how deeply children are valued within their families and communities.
After generations in which Indigenous children were separated from their families, cultures and communities, there is a strong desire to ensure that children know where they belong.
For some women we have spoken with, this means that when a woman carries a child, she is not expected to carry everything alone. The people around her can offer practical support, encouragement, family connection and a sense of belonging.
That support can help a mother continue her education, pursue her work, care for her other children, or simply have the support she needs to thrive as she welcomes a new child.
It reminds us of something simple:
When a child matters, the mother matters too.
Supporting a child means supporting the relationships and people surrounding that child.
Restoring family and connection
This is especially meaningful in light of Canada's history.
For generations, Indigenous children were separated from their families and cultures through residential schools and other systems. Today, Indigenous children continue to be significantly overrepresented in Canada's child welfare system. In 2021, Indigenous children represented 7.7% of children under 15 in Canada, but 53.8% of children in foster care in private households.[1]
Reconciliation includes recognizing the importance of restoring family connections and cultural belonging.
The federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families recognizes the jurisdiction of Indigenous peoples over child and family services. It emphasizes prevention, cultural continuity and keeping children connected to their families, languages and cultures.[2]
We are seeing this work take shape here in Quebec as well. In July 2026, Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM) became the first Indigenous community in Quebec to conclude a tripartite coordination agreement under this legislation. Its new child and family services system places prevention, family participation, Innu knowledge, language and customs at the centre of its approach. More than 2,000 people—including Elders, parents, youth, foster families and frontline workers—contributed to developing its vision.[3]
There is something powerful about Indigenous peoples having a voice in how their own children and families are supported.
Choice within choice
Adoption is another area where we can see the importance of culture, dignity and meaningful choices.
In Quebec, Indigenous customary adoption allows Indigenous children to be adopted according to Indigenous customs. The process is recognized in Quebec law and is overseen by a competent Indigenous authority to ensure that the child's rights and interests are respected.[4]
In some Indigenous customary adoption practices, the parents themselves can identify the people they want to entrust with raising their child. For example, Alice Cleary, speaking about Attikamek customary adoption before the National Assembly of Quebec, described how parents traditionally choose people within their extended family or close circle to whom they will entrust their children—often grandparents, aunts, uncles or other people close to the community.[5] To learn more you can check out the Commission de la santé et des services sociaux des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador.
This differs from Quebec's general adoption process, where the territorial adoption service selects an adoptive family and proceeds with the matching of the child with that family.[4]
For a mother considering adoption, this can be an example of choice within choice. There can be different ways of considering what will allow a child to be welcomed, connected and surrounded by family and culture.
Dignity means having space to understand your options and consider what is right for you and your child within your own circumstances, culture and relationships.
What can we learn?
We don't want to speak for Indigenous peoples. There are many different First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, each with their own cultures, languages, traditions and experiences.
But we can listen. We can learn from the importance placed on connection, belonging and the relationships surrounding a child.
We can ask ourselves:
What would it look like if every mother had a village?
At Options, we believe that support changes what feels possible. We want to be part of a village where women and men facing unexpected pregnancy know that they do not have to walk through it alone.
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we can remember the children who were separated from their families while also listening to the Indigenous peoples working today to strengthen families, restore connection and ensure children know where they belong.
Every child matters.
Every mother matters.
And all of us have a role to play in creating a village where they can thrive.
References
[1] Hahmann, T., Lee, H., & Godin, S. (2024). Indigenous foster children living in private households: Rates and sociodemographic characteristics of foster children and their households. Statistics Canada, Indigenous Peoples Thematic Series. https://publications.gc.ca/site/fra/9.932989/publication.html
[2] Indigenous Services Canada. (2019). An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Government of Canada. https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/f-11.73/index.html
[3] Indigenous Services Canada. (2026, July 10). ITUM and the governments of Canada and Québec sign the first tripartite coordination agreement in Québec for Innu child and family services. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/news/2026/07/itum-and-the-governments-of-canada-and-quebec-sign-the-first-tripartite-coordination-agreement-in-quebec-for-innu-child-and-family-services.html
[4] Gouvernement du Québec. (2024, September 17). À propos de l’adoption au Québec. Québec.ca. https://www.quebec.ca/famille-et-soutien-aux-personnes/grossesse-parentalite/adoption/adoption-au-quebec/a-propos-adoption-au-quebec
[5] Assemblée nationale du Québec. (2016, November 24). Consultations particulières et auditions publiques sur le projet de loi no 113, Loi modifiant le Code civil et d’autres dispositions législatives en matière d’adoption et de communication de renseignements: Journal des débats. Testimony of Alice Cleary concerning Attikamek customary adoption. https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/commissions/ci-41-1/journal-debats/CI-161124.html
[7] Statistics Canada. (2024, September 26). National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: A time to remember, reflect and learn. Government of Canada. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/7072-national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-time-remember-reflect-and-learn
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