1951–1984 - The “Sixties Scoop”

Commonly called the “Sixties Scoop” despite spreading across almost three decades; from 1951-1984, thousands of Indigenous children, including many Mi’kmaq, were forcibly removed from their families by child welfare authorities. These children were placed in non-Indigenous foster or adoptive homes across Canada, the United States, and even overseas, often losing connection to their families, language, and culture. For the Mi’kmaq, this disrupted intergenerational knowledge and community continuity, deepening the effects of colonization and residential schools. Many survivors experienced identity loss, cultural alienation, and long-term trauma. Communities were left grieving stolen generations and weakened family structures. The legacy of the Sixties Scoop continues to affect Mi’kmaq people today, fueling movements for cultural reclamation, healing, and justice. Modern-day efforts such as language revitalization, survivor advocacy, and the federal settlement of 2017 represent important steps toward recognizing and addressing this profound historical injustice.

Read, Geoff, and Kristin Burnett. Aboriginal History: A Reader. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2016.