Aboriginal children and youth in Canada : Enfants et les jeunes autochotones au Canada: le Canada doit mieux faire

We play an important role in informing governments and the general publi c of concerns regarding the rights, status and well -being of vulnerable children, such as those living in state care, and in encouraging and supporting governments to adopt more effective and responsive strategies, giving full expression to the rights and protections for children and youth. [...] Understanding the Context Aboriginal children and youth continue to bear the impacts of a "legacy of colonialism, racism and exclusion.7” In 1996, the Royal Commission report on Aboriginal Peoples acknowledged the numerous challenges that Aboriginal children face and advocated for collective efforts to address them. [...] It remains one of our most significant tasks to give the Convention meaning in Canada, as well as to ensure that Aboriginal children and youth have a measure of equality to that of other children and youth in Canada, as the human rights considerations involve international, domestic and local norms and standards. [...] Despite being a signatory of the Convention and being among the most livable countries in the world, the figures and statistics of Aboriginal children living in Canada are startling. [...] We believe that it is the responsibility of all Canadians and their governments to close the gaps for Aboriginal children and youth in the key domains of education, health and safety, criminal justice involvement, and social inclusion.