Final Report Calls for Shift Toward Human-Centred Care

The Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children Restorative Inquiry presented its final report to government at its closing ceremony in Halifax today, Nov. 28. The inquiry was the first in Canada to design and model a restorative approach to public inquiry. The report shares the innovative process by outlining how it supported government, public agencies and community together to appreciate the need and work collectively for a fundamental shift in how the province cares for its most vulnerable citizens.

Over its four-year mandate, the inquiry has held multiple processes to examine the history, experience and legacy of the Nova Scotia Home for the Colored Children and its implications for responding to institutionalized abuse, improving the experience of care for children and young people, and for addressing ongoing impacts of systemic racism.

The inquiry’s final report is a road map for shifting toward human-centred systems focused on people’s needs through integrated and holistic responses that are not fragmented along department or agency lines.

“The restorative inquiry has modelled this fundamental shift in how it worked—in relational, collaborative and human-centred ways,” said Chief Judge Pam Williams, co-chair of the inquiry. “There are no shortcuts or checklists in this work. It requires a sustained commitment to work together for a different way forward.”

Jennifer Llewellyn, member of the council parties and professor of law at Dalhousie University, noted that “one of the ways in which this inquiry has been different is that it supported planning and action by the parties involved during its mandate. This report will serve as a continuing resource and guide to support the work ahead and a fundamental shift in how we do things.”

The report outlines several of the pathways that will be important in moving forward toward a human-centred approach including continuing to support learning and understanding through school-based and professional learning modules and establishing a public exhibit at the Black Cultural Centre. To support the shift to a different way of working across government and community, the report outlines the collaborative design and establishment of a children and youth commission, reorienting systems of care to ensure family led-decision-making and a commitment to support restorative responses to future issues of institutional failures of care.

“For former residents of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, breaking the silence was very painful,” said Tony Smith, inquiry co-chair and a former resident. “We wanted a way forward that would hear our voices and do justice to our experiences by ensuring they would make a difference for future. I believe this Inquiry has made a difference and that the journey continues.”

Quotes:

“The report signals concrete ways for the African Nova Scotian community and government to work together in restorative ways.”

– Wayn Hamilton, council member and government representative (Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs)

"The positive and unwavering efforts of members of the restorative inquiry have caused a huge shift for people to come together in community circles, engaging in conversations to understand, participate and carry out the process."

– George Gray, council member and community representative (former Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children board and African United Baptist Association)

Quick Facts:

• the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children operated from 1921-2015, initially as an institution for black children who were not welcome in mainstream orphanages. Residents experienced neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse during the home’s history
• the inquiry was established following the settlement of a class action lawsuit by former residents which also took a restorative approach to the settlement. the restorative inquiry was established under the Public Inquires Act and began work in 2015
• the inquiry was established following an apology from the Nova Scotia Government to former residents and the African Nova Scotian community in 2014 for the harmful impacts of systemic racism
• the restorative inquiry has been led by a council of parties consisting of appointed commissioners including former home residents, African Nova Scotian community members and representatives from the former home, government and the justice system.
• council members, community representatives and deputy ministers from social departments (Community Services, Communities, Culture and Heritage, Education and Early Childhood Development, Health and Wellness, Justice and Labour and Advanced Education) served on the Reflection and Action Task Group that facilitated and supported government engagement in the inquiry
• the inquiry focused on three central issues: responses to institutionalized abuse, experiences of children and youth in care and impacts of systemic racism on African Nova Scotians

Additional Resources:

The final report and accompanying videos and fact sheets are available at: https://restorativeinquiry.ca