The Sixties Scoop

The Sixties Scoop was a time when our children were taken from our homes and placed with settler families, often far from their communities. The government said it was for their own good, but we knew the truth – it was another attempt to erase who we were as Anishinabe people.

Our children were not just removed from their families, but from their culture, language, and sense of belonging. Many grew up never knowing their real names, their clan, or the stories that connected them to the land. Without these roots, they drifted, feeling like strangers in both worlds. For parents, the grief was unbearable – one day their children were there, and the next they were gone, with no explanation and no way to bring them home.

The effects of the Sixties Scoop Children's Agencies continue to shape our communities. Anishinabe children are still being removed by agencies in Canada and by our own people. Many of the children who are being taken grow up disconnected from their heritage, unsure of where they came from or who they were. Some returned as adults, seeking to reconnect with their families and culture, while others never found their way back. This loss created a gap between generations, with an attempt to break the chain of knowledge and teachings that had been passed down for centuries.

While much was taken, not all is lost. Our language, ceremonies, and stories are still here, held in the hearts of those who remained. Healing is possible, and we see it happening as more of our people reclaim their identity. The spirit of our ancestors lives on in each child who learns their language and in every ceremony that brings us together. Though the Sixties Scoop tried to separate us, our spirit endures, and we continue to walk the path of healing and resilience.