{"id":6520,"date":"2026-06-04T22:15:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T20:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rcaaq.ca\/?post_type=post_news&p=6520"},"modified":"2026-06-04T22:15:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T20:15:49","slug":"protecting-indigenous-youth-progress-undeniably-made-but-urban-indigenous-people-must-still-be-heard-fully","status":"publish","type":"post_news","link":"https:\/\/www.rcaaq.ca\/en\/article\/protecting-indigenous-youth-progress-undeniably-made-but-urban-indigenous-people-must-still-be-heard-fully\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Indigenous youth: Progress undeniably made, but urban Indigenous people must still be heard fully"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wendake, June 4, 2026<\/strong> \u2013 The Regroupement des centres d\u2019amiti\u00e9 autochtones du Qu\u00e9bec (RCAAQ) salutes the Qu\u00e9bec Ombudsperson\u2019s report on the protection of Indigenous youth, yet reiterates the importance of taking the reality of Indigenous people living in urban areas into account more fully.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The report highlights persistent structural issues, particularly in prevention, cultural continuity and collaboration between public institutions and Indigenous organizations. It also points out that Indigenous children and youth continue to be over-represented in youth protection, due in part to a lack of access to culturally appropriate and safe services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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However, the situation takes on a unique aspect in cities, where more than half of Indigenous people now live in Quebec. Indigenous families face specific challenges in urban settings. Greater mobility, severed ties with the community of origin, fragmentation of services and distrust of institutions are all factors that complicate access to resources and can delay interventions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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For the RCAAQ, this observation confirms the need to fully recognize the role of Native Friendship Centres. As Indigenous populations in urban settings continue to grow, their realities are underrepresented when developing public policy and organizing how services are delivered.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The report also highlights how, too often, urban Indigenous organizations are only involved later in families\u2019 trajectories, when early intervention is a key to avoiding youth placement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The RCAAQ reiterates that implementing the recommendations will require:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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