Update 1, Gitxsan Grandmothers Struggle with #ChildWelfare #Poverty #Genocide

Update on My Journey to Bring My Grandson Home

As a Gitxsan grandmother navigating the complexities of the child welfare system, I want to share my experience and shed light on the struggles many Indigenous families face. 

My grandson is now 7.5 months old and has spent his entire life in care. This is a painful reality that many Aboriginal children endure, and the challenges I face grow heavier each day, especially when it comes to daycare and subsidies.

Recently, I spoke with David, the fourth social worker assigned to my grandson Angel’s file in just seven months. He explained the process of the childcare subsidy after I reached out to the Childcare Subsidy office. David informed me that I would need Angel in my custody before I could receive any support. It’s frustrating because I’m merely following the instructions given to me by previous social workers.

This back-and-forth is exhausting. David mentioned he tried to meet with me in December to discuss a “TCO”—a Temporary Custody Order. When I asked what that was, I was met with confusion. We seemed to be going in circles, discussing the same issues I had already brought up with the previous social workers: daycare coverage, what was needed in my home, and the delays that have stretched on for months.

When I called the subsidy office, the conversation was patronizing and frustrating. The representative struggled to understand what I needed to complete the application. I was told repeatedly that I needed to have my grandchild in my care before any subsidy could be provided. The common sense of needing my grandson in my custody before receiving support was lost on them, making me feel like I was the problem.

The inconsistent messaging I’ve received has left me confused and stressed. I was initially told I would receive daycare coverage, then partial coverage, and now I’m told I must use my monthly allowance to cover the remaining childcare costs. This uncertainty is overwhelming.

In British Columbia, we are forced to navigate the CFCSA instead of the Family Law Act if we are low-income or need financial assistance. This means I’m compelled to fight through CFCSA to get my grandson out of care. 

As of March 31, 2010, the Child in the Home of a Relative (CIHR) program stopped accepting new applications. When I had access to the CIHR program, I was able to secure a custody order through the Family Law Act, receive full daycare coverage, and get assistance with living costs. Now, if I pursue the Family Law Act, we will not receive any BC benefits, leaving us to struggle in poverty.

The changes made under Stephen Harper’s government have only compounded our challenges. The emphasis on control and the shift in how Indigenous families are treated within the system have led to more obstacles for those of us trying to reclaim our children and bring them home. The outdated policies and oppressive practices continue to impact our communities deeply.

Who will change these policies and procedures? Why do we have Delegated Agencies for Aboriginal people when the laws remain unchanged under the CFCSA? There is nothing truly Indigenous about VACFSS or any delegated agency; it feels like a mask for oppression.

As Indigenous women, we are the fastest-growing prison population in Canada, and this is not a coincidence. Our struggles are interconnected, and we must address these systemic issues together.

To all who read this, I urge you to listen and understand our stories. It’s time to stand up for our rights, to fight against the oppressive structures that seek to keep our families apart. We need change, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Let’s work together to create a system that truly supports and uplifts Indigenous families. 

#MMIW #IndigenousRights #ChangeForOurChildren #EndTheOppression

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