Update 3, Gitxsan Grandmothers Struggle with #ChildWelfare #Poverty #Genocide

Update: A Letter to Anyone Listening

My grandson is almost 10 months old, and I find myself filled with sadness and frustration as I navigate this challenging journey. 

I’ve found two daycares for him, but I’ve lost both spots. It feels like I’m running in circles, trying to secure a future for him. I still haven’t been served papers to go to court for a temporary custody order, which leaves me in limbo. I can’t get daycare covered until I have my grandson in my care, but I can’t hold a daycare spot without him. It feels like a cruel game of “catch-22.”

I can’t take maternity leave because I’m neither a parent nor a foster parent in the eyes of the system. I work full time, but I’m worried about losing my job if I take an unpaid leave. The fear of becoming homeless looms over me if I step back from work. 

The process with VACFSS has become so burdensome, and I’m left feeling trapped in a precarious position as a low-income single parent. My file has been frozen since the last letter I wrote, and there have been no updates from VACFSS. It feels like very little has been done to work toward getting my grandson out of custody and back with his family.

This situation is heavy on my heart. I want to see my grandson safe and home, where he belongs. I hold onto hope, even when it feels like the weight of the world is pressing down on me. I know that I must keep fighting for him, for our family, and for the brighter future we all deserve.

I share this in the hope that someone will listen, understand, and help shed light on this path. We are resilient, and together, we can create change. Thank you for hearing my story.

Popular posts from this blog

Bear with hanging tongue

Image
The bear with the tongue hanging out of its mouth is not what you think.  Gather around, and let me share a story that carries the weight of our history, a tale that speaks of resilience and survival. Many people do not understand the significance of the tongue, often mistaking it as merely a feature of the bear. But there is much more to this story, one that we must keep alive as our Aboriginal stories, culture, and beliefs are too often appropriated for the profit of others. In our tradition, totem poles are read from the bottom up, with the tribe usually depicted at the base. It is important to note that the Gitxsan do not have a bear tribe. Instead, the bear symbolizes Russia, a powerful force that once threatened our lands. Long ago, the West Coast nations—including the Gitxsan, Nisga'a, Haida, and others—joined together to stand against Russia when they began to claim our traditional territories and take our people as slaves. Among those who suffered was a woman from th...
Read more

When the food drops

Image
I learned a lot from my grandfather and my parents just by watching them every day. We didn’t talk much about spirituality; we just lived it. Spirituality runs deep in our upbringing; it’s something that flows through our blood and is passed down by our ancestors who have gone before us. Our beliefs aren’t fancy or dramatic—there's no fire and lightning, just the spirit. We used to respect all of life, knowing that spirits are present in everything, including ourselves. God is within us and beside us; every thought we have is a prayer. I should mention that medicine can be used for harm too. Thoughts filled with hatred can be prayers as well. Some people who mix their medicine with bad intentions are called Hel'dow'gwit, or witchcraft. Over the past 50 years, many Gitxsan have changed and evolved. Sweat lodges, which were once only for hunting preparation, are now spaces for prayers and healing. Traditional gatherings have transformed into Healing Circles where we talk abou...
Read more

Burning

Image
Too often, our Gitxsan culture is romanticized, which can create an illusion that it is unattainable or far removed from the realities of our daily lives. This perception can make it seem uninviting to our young people, who may feel disconnected from the traditions and values that define us. We must remember to light the fire, to gather together, and to prepare meals with love for our family and friends. The act of burning food is not a failure but a reminder of our humanity and the lessons we learn along the way. Each meal shared is an opportunity to connect, to nurture, and to honor those we cherish. Every thought is a prayer. When we think of our loved ones who have journeyed on, they are with us in spirit, surrounding us with their love and gratitude for the respect and intention we hold in our hearts. It is in these moments that we can feel their presence, reminding us of the strength of our connections and the importance of our cultural practices. Let us not shy away from the imp...
Read more