Walking Together

Walking Together: The Future of Indigenous Child Welfare on the Prairies
Edited by Jason Albert, Dorothy Badry, Don Fuchs, et al.
Published by University of Regina Press
Review by Toby A. Welch  
$39.95 ISBN 9780889778900

This fascinating book touches on so many topics. Walking Together begins by diving into why it is such a struggle for so many families to access services for their children. We then get right into Bill C-92, the connection between FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and colonization, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care. We learn about the importance of supporting Indigenous child welfare workers as well as how Indigenous people are making changes in the welfare systems for their children. 

As I went through the chapters, I loved the constant reinforcement that one of the ways forward for Indigenous children is with culture and a sense of belonging through Indigenous stories and traditions. We need to remember the past while we look toward the future. 

I value books that don’t steer away from tough issues. Life blows sometimes and reality can be harsh. So even though it was uncomfortable, I appreciated reading about topics such as the forced sterilization of Indigenous girls and women. As we dove into the realities of genocide, I paid extra attention instead of skimming over those pages. 

Every time I read a University of Regina Press book, I am blown away by the tremendous amount of time and research that goes into everything they publish. For example, at the end of each chapter, Walking Together provides a lengthy list of references. (As well as a list of “Learning Questions” for you to ponder.) In the Contributors section near the back of the book, you’ll see that twenty-six people with impressive credentials helped make this book the powerhouse that it is; they are a collection of educators, researchers, social workers, and leaders. A long list of peer reviewers also gave their feedback to make Walking Together even stronger. 

Walking Together is the seventh published book by the Prairie Child Welfare Consortium. The group believes that “child welfare is currently at a pivotal and historical time of change in Canada and that pressure is mounting for significant change.” The hope is for a future with new mindsets and narratives around child welfare in our country. Each of the books in the Voices from the Prairies series are centred around child welfare. 

So many organizations exist that are attempting to make positive changes for Canada’s children. I hadn’t heard of most of them but am grateful that I now know of their existence. A few include the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, the Creating Hope Society, and the Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre. 

For anyone looking to stay on top of Canadian social issues, especially Indigenous issues, Walking Together is a must-read. 

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