the KEMPE centre's call to action to change child welfare
“Ghosts in our Psyches” – Exploring the secret truths that haunt us within child welfare.
date: 10/5/22
speakers: Lydia Bloemendal, Nancy Freymond, Val Rode, Marilee Sherry
abstract:
In the every day, outward practices of child welfare, there is a deafening silence. Critiques of the system are drowned out by dismissive statements. "It is what it is," says a colleague. "That's child welfare for you," remarks a supervisor. "Better get used to it" replies a co-worker. Silence, secrecy and fear are evident behind every closed-door 'rant session' that workers organize in order to create spaces where they can freely speak truth. These spaces are an oasis, a reprieve against the bombardment of colonial mandates. Is it possible that the truths told in these spaces could help us forge pathways to resistance and change? Could speaking truths and witnessing truth embolden those impacted by the system to destroy its power from within? Join us as we wrestle with these questions.
Growing up, working for & parenting in the system. Reconciling multiple child welfare identities.
date: 10/6/22
speakers: Nancy Freymond, Cheryl Smith
abstract:
The tag line for this presentation is: I can see what’s going on. Can you hear me? Cheryl’s everyday encounters inside child welfare systems are conditioned by a wealth of lived experiences. From her multiple vantage points, penetrating insights about the nature of child welfare work emerge. But this wisdom is seldom recognized or valued. Using her first language, the arts, Cheryl will share how she experiences and makes sense of multiple child welfare identities. We hope this session will appeal to everyone and especially people who have multiple intersecting child welfare identities.
Everywhere and Barely There: Perceptions of Whiteness in Everyday Child Welfare Practices
date: 10/5/22
speakers: Joanne Azevedo, Amilah Baksh, Nancy Freymond, Tamia Knight
abstract:
Discussions about the operation of whiteness in everyday child welfare practices are scarce. Over this past year, we collaborated with former and current child welfare practitioners (n-21) in race-based dialogues (10 who identified as Black, Indigenous and/or Persons of Colour, 11 who identified as White) about their experiences of whiteness and its embeddedness and re-creation in child welfare. BIPOC workers are acutely aware of how the force of whiteness operates in everyday child welfare practices, their complicities and their resistances, while White workers are awakening to these realizations. We compare and contrast preliminary key themes from both groups. We invite the audience to race-based discussions in break-out rooms to explore how these ideas resonate with your experiences.
What we can learn from archival evidence about child welfare's past and present
date: 10/3/22
speakers: Nancy Freymond, Matthew Gooch, Andrew Koster
abstract:
The testimonies of Indigenous people subject to residential schooling and the 60s scoop ring in our ears and in our hearts. Against that anguish, we examined government child welfare archival documents in Ontario Canada that promoted and defended residential schooling and the 60s scoop. Sobering portraits of deep racism and genocidal intentions emerge. And equally sobering is the extent to which colonizing intentions remain fixed in contemporary child welfare policies and directions using the same tactics but enveloped in language that on the surface sounds ‘good’ and ‘right’. Wonder with us if this might be true in your jurisdiction and how. We must not let this history continue to repeat itself in any form.
A Taste of Truth-Telling: Part 1(of 3) Introduction - But, I Don’t Tell Lies!
date: 10/4/22
speakers: Joanne Azevedo, Nancy Freymond, Anita Horner, Karen Lambert, Val Rode, Marilee Sherry
abstract:
We do not think you tell lies! But, we do think that child welfare workers have experiences that are unsettling, unspoken, where child welfare practices collide with their beliefs and values. We welcome workers to a 3 part truth-telling event. In Part 1 we unpack the value of connecting with each other in the truth of this shared reality. We explore what is meant by truth-telling. What are its purposes? Why is it important? How can we do it? What are the risks? In this system we are inundated with colonizing logics that condition our language, thinking and our actions. Protected by a silencing code that is deep in this system’s DNA, these logics rationalize our practices but harm families and break our hearts. Truth-telling is about standing together, exposing these logics, and resisting.
A Taste of Truth-Telling: Part 2 of 3. Breaking Silence by Speaking your Truth
date: 10/4/22
speakers: Joanne Azevedo, Nancy Freymond, Anita Horner, Karen Lambert, Val Rode, Marilee Sherry
abstract:
Welcome to Part 2 where child welfare workers, past and present, are invited to experience truth-telling. Truth-telling deserves time so we have dedicated the full session to this experience. We will begin by forming an agreement about our process and responsibilities to one another in speaking and witnessing truths. We pose the following questions: If you could change one thing in the way you work with families what would it be? What is the specific experience that you draw from for this answer? Why did you choose this experience? You will be invited to speak your truth and to witness the truths of others. We strongly urge you to attend Part 3 where we will debrief and explore the meaning of the truth-telling experience.
A Taste of Truth-Telling: Part 3 (of 3). Truth-telling Horizons
date:: 10/4/22
speakers: Joanne Azevedo, Nancy Freymond, Anita Horner, Karen Lambert, Val Rode, Marilee Sherry
abstract:
Welcome to Part 3. What was the truth-telling experience in Part 2 like for you? For people who have participated in truth-telling and witnessing circles before, you know that surprising, and unpredictable reactions often occur. We can expect a range of reactions. Some people will take risks in sharing things about themselves and their work that they have not shared before. Once we have shared our reactions, we want to explore truth-telling and witnessing horizons. What are the potential opportunities in your workplace and for the broader child welfare system. We will leave you with some possibilities for continuing your truth-telling journey.