Laws of Matriarch

The Presumption of Risk: A Gitxsan Grandmother’s Perspective As a Gitxsan grandmother, I want to address a troubling issue that continues to affect our families and our children—the presumption of risk that comes with being an Indigenous person in Canada. This presumption is rooted in systemic racism, creating barriers that keep our children from being with their families. My grandson is now 23 months old, and I've been navigating the CFCSA process with VACFSS since he was born. Recently, I spoke with Acting Deputy Director Cindy G. about the ongoing issues we face, particularly regarding medical coverage and the removal of our children. It’s heartbreaking to see how the system operates. When I received guardianship under Section 54.01 in June 2017, my grandson’s medical and dental coverage was cut off on the same day. This practice profoundly affects many Aboriginal families. We are left to question why the government prioritizes the removal of our children instead of supporting u...

I have been trying to communicate with the Women’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, and the Ministry (MCFD) about the ongoing systemic racism in the maternity ward. It’s crucial that Aboriginal women are treated with the same respect and dignity as every other woman. Email 1 Subject: Concerns Regarding Maternity Care for Aboriginal Women Hi Claudia,   CC: Hospital Complaints and Government for Real Change I want to share my concerns regarding my daughter K* and her recent experience at Women’s Hospital. She had another baby who was born prematurely, possibly at around six months. The social worker, Johanna C, placed a no-contact order against Kaila, which forced her to leave the hospital without being able to see her baby. It is simply unacceptable to deny women even supervised visits with their newborns. Taking children away from their families and isolating them is inhumane. My daughter struggles with addiction, but she is not a criminal; she deserves compassion and support. Saint Paul...

Last night, I received a call from my daughter around 10 PM, sharing the news that she had a baby. At first, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me at the thought of another child entering this cruel and racist world. I also wondered if this was real or if my daughter was in a bad place with drugs. I rushed to see her at Grace Women’s Hospital. She told me she had a baby girl, but I was taken aback because I didn’t even know she was pregnant; usually, she keeps me informed. When I arrived at the hospital, everything seemed normal, and they let me see my daughter without any issues—no security stopping me, just a straightforward visit. This was unusual, as I usually have to go through security in the maternity ward. My granddaughter was born premature, and I ask you to please keep her in your prayers. I don’t even know her name yet, or if she will survive. It should be a happy occasion, but I can’t help but feel sadness and worry for her. I pray that God’s grace will cover her and that ...

No Medical Coverage for Aboriginal Children: A Grandmother's Perspective As a Gitxsan grandmother, I want to share my experience navigating the challenges of medical coverage for my grandson, Angel. I received guardianship under the CFCSA Section 54.01 at the end of June 2017, but on that very day, his medical and dental coverage was cut off. For those wondering about the medical and dental coverage issue we faced while at the dentist’s office, the truth is—nothing has changed. I still haven’t received Angel’s Indian Status card, which the Ministry ordered after he turned two years old. I can’t help but wonder if he might not be considered “status quality.” First Nations MSP only works with status cards, leaving us in a difficult spot. Meanwhile, immigrants and refugees have access to medical coverage and receive four times the social assistance that Aboriginal people do. It feels unjust that the government isn’t providing for First Nations children or for any children in the care ...

Gitxsan Traditions: Accountability and Justice As a Gitxsan grandmother, I want to share the wisdom of our ancestors and how our traditional practices reflect our values of accountability, honesty, and respect for all spirits.  In the past, our Gitxsan community was very strict about upholding these values. Serious crimes, particularly violence against women and children, were dealt with during the Potlatch, our sacred feast. For the gravest offenses, such as violence against our most vulnerable, the offender would be 'brought hunting'—a euphemism for receiving the death sentence. In these cases, a feast would be held, and the offender's family, house, and tribe would compensate the victims' family, house, and tribe for the harm done. For lesser crimes, we held a Shame Feast. During this gathering, the offender would publicly announce their mistakes and explain how they planned to make amends to the victims and their families, under the guidance of our chiefs. Once the ...

Today, I was on the bus and noticed a grandmother sitting with her grandson. She was speaking to him a bit sternly, telling him to sit forward and not face the back of the bus. When he asked her why, she replied, “I don’t have to tell you anything. I don’t need to explain.” The boy looked about seven years old. He listened to her and obediently took the seat that faced forward. As I watched, I felt a connection to what she was saying. She corrected him again when he started to gaze down at the ground, reminding him to keep his eyes up so he could see his surroundings. I understood why this was important to her.  It’s the same way I feel when I walk around during the day; I don’t feel safe looking down or sitting backwards. I always keep my head up to be aware of what’s happening around me. It feels like a way to protect myself, to avoid being caught off guard. I remember how angry I would get when I was on the bus with my kids when they were little. I didn’t realize then that my an...

Well, my plan was to make a cake and rest in bed to get better. 💤  Then, my van’s low tire light came on 🤛🏽💥😳. I went to put air in the tire, not thinking much of it, but the light didn’t turn off. I dropped the baby off at daycare and then went to see Dodge for some help. That’s when I noticed the nail in my tire 😆. The mansplaining started, and I was like, “Yeah, that’s probably it.” I took a moment to watch the eclipse without really looking, then headed to the doctor to make sure I just had the flu. Yep, it was confirmed. After that, I went home to put the cake in the oven—ahhh, sweet comfort. I called my mom to strategize my plan. But it felt like God had other ideas for me that day. Rest was nowhere on my agenda. I ended up having a leak in my tire that needed to be changed today. Later on, I realized there was a screw sticking out of my tire, and that’s probably where the leak was coming from lol 🤓😂. With no money for a new tire, I had to see who could help me out. W...

How are First Nations children supposed to get coverage for health and medical needs?  My grandson is facing a tough situation—he will be without medical coverage for 6 to 10 months!  Just the other day, I was stuck at the dentist's office because his medical coverage was declined. Thankfully, after his cleaning, the dental office discovered he had a credit on his account, so they let us leave without paying. I’m so grateful for that because I don’t have any money to cover unexpected medical expenses.  Unfortunately, VACFSS cut my grandson’s medical coverage, leaving us in a difficult position. I recently received an order for Section 54.01 on June 28th, but I still haven’t gotten a court order—draft or signed. It usually takes 6 to 10 months to receive a signed order. For over two years now, VACFSS has failed to obtain my grandson's Indian Status Card, which makes his MSP useless. Without that status card, we can’t access proper medical coverage.  What frustrates...

I'm sitting at the dentist with my grandson, Angel, and I just found out that our Blue Cross coverage has been canceled! Without his Indian status card, his MSP doesn’t work. I don’t have his court order, so I can’t add him to my work coverage.  Right now, the dentist is asking for payment, and I have no money to give. It feels overwhelming. Is this really the first child to go through the Section 54.01 process? Why do we have to keep facing these kinds of issues? Here I am, stuck at the dentist, waiting for a call from Claudia or Andy. Will they even call me?  These moments are filled with worry, and it’s hard not to feel the weight of it all. But even in this frustration, I hold onto hope. We must keep advocating for our rights and the rights of our children. We deserve better access to healthcare and support.  I believe that together we can push for change. Our voices matter, and we must stand strong for our families. #MissingWork #WorkingPoor #NoDentalCoverage

Merriam-Webster defines "bear witness" as:   1. To show that something exists or is.   2. Formal: To make a statement saying that one saw or knows something. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in Aboriginal History Month this June. Your involvement shows a true commitment to engaging in our process of truth and reconciliation. We touched on many important topics—Aboriginal women, Sacred Land, and the Missing Children from Indian Residential Schools. These discussions are crucial as they reflect the depth of our history and the ongoing challenges we face. As we emerge from a holiday weekend celebrating the things we love about Canada, I ask that we not forget the realities that continue to impact us: the harmful effects of the Indian Act, the severe poverty that plagues many Indian reservations, the heartbreaking issue of murdered and missing women, and the support needed for Indigenous survivors of Indian Residential Schools. We must also advo...

My grandson is now 23 months and 21 days old. For his first year of life, he was in foster care, and it was a painful experience for our family. I fought hard to bring him home and finally managed to get him out under a Temporary Custody Order. Yesterday, I received a call from Claudia L at VACFSS. She shared some good news: I’ve completed the application under Section 54.01, and it has been approved. This means I will be his primary guardian under the Family Law Act, which brings me a sense of relief and hope. However, VACFSS plans to ask for an adjournment tomorrow, June 7th, for three weeks, so they have time to put the order together. I’m uncertain about what will be included in this order, but I remain hopeful that it will mark the end of this long, arduous, and oppressive process that has weighed heavily on my heart. I hope that sharing my updates helps other grandparents who are going through similar struggles. I truly wish for this to be my last update. We deserve a chance to ...

Dreams of Ancestors My yea'a has always given me so much strength.  Back in February 1991, I had a dream that has stayed with me ever since. In this dream, I saw Sasquatches. The family house and our father tribe were all gathered together, surrounded by the lush green forest. I looked outside, and a wave of fear washed over me when I saw something moving in the trees. Then, a Sasquatch stepped out from the woods. I had never seen one before—a huge, dark brown, hairy figure moving gracefully from the forest. It was a beautiful day, and everything felt fresh, like it had just rained the day before. I turned to my yea'a and asked him why the Sasquatch was there. He replied, “They are here to be with us.” As I looked again, I noticed that more Sasquatches had joined the first one—about a dozen in total. They gathered with us like another house, and I imagined they came with our father tribe. We continued our usual business, connecting with family and discussing community issues. ...

My grandson is now 22 months old, and I want to share an update on the struggles I’m facing while navigating the CFCSA process with VACFSS. It hasn’t been easy, and I feel compelled to express my concerns and offer recommendations for change. Please forgive any grammatical errors in this message; I don’t have an editor to help me. As you know, I’ve answered the intrusive list of questions in the email linked below. I find myself in a precarious position, feeling the weight of the system on my shoulders. I am desperate to keep my grandson from being removed and to prevent him from entering care. Canada has a troubling practice of finding any excuse to take our Aboriginal children away from their families and communities. I know that you will do everything in your heart and power to help our children, and I want to thank you for your bravery and prayers.  Recently, I received an email from the social worker filled with heavy questions that leave me feeling uneasy about their commitm...

Subject: Update on My Journey to Bring Angel Home Hello, Today, I received an email that left me feeling heavy-hearted and frustrated. I’m facing the same intrusive questions over and over again, and it seems like the process is only getting delayed. I can’t help but wonder, who is this manager, and why am I answering to someone I don’t even know? Do I really need to answer these questions just to keep my grandson with me? The email from my social worker detailed a long list of inquiries about my life and experiences. It felt exhausting to relive these moments, and honestly, it’s hard to keep explaining myself. Here are some of the questions I received: 1. They want more detail on what I’ve learned from my life experiences, especially from my upbringing and childhood. I previously answered “Perceiver,” but now they want me to expand on that.     2. They’re asking how my past experiences have impacted me and how I feel about them now. I mentioned that life was better after my ...

Today was another court date, but thankfully, I didn’t have to attend because the VACFSS director decided to adjourn the date for another month.  My grandson Angel is now 1 year and 9 months old, and this is the longest I’ve ever had to deal with the ministry. It’s an exhausting process that wears you down and leaves you feeling hopeless.  Even though I’ve had Angel living with me for the last nine months, I know that at any moment, a social worker and a police officer could come knocking at my door to take him away. Canada has made it nearly impossible for us to keep our children. I’m tired, and I feel like I can’t fight this battle anymore. The ministry seems to be looking for any reason to put him back into their care, and I have lost all faith in VACFSS and any agency in Canada that handles Aboriginal child welfare. Today was particularly hard. I had to sit through a session where a privileged lawyer spoke about how “you can’t just help them get their children back; they n...

As a Gitxsan grandmother, I want to share the essence of our beliefs and spirituality.  On the West Coast, our Native brothers and sisters use various medicines for prayer, like devil’s club. Our traditions are rooted in a deep respect for spirit. We don’t romanticize our rituals and practices; they are simply part of who we are, ingrained in our upbringing. Respect for life is the foundation of everything we do. Each person is born with unique gifts, and none is more important than the other. Even those who work with the spirit world remain humble, never boasting about their abilities. They simply do their job, just like everyone else. We believe that God is within us and with us always. Every thought we have is a prayer, and our ancestors walk beside us, guiding us through life. Our spirits communicate with all spirits, and the first thoughts that come to us when we seek answers are often those messages from the spirit world. In our past, we used sweat lodges to cleanse our scent...

A Grandmother's Update on My Grandson Hello everyone, I want to share my journey as a Gitxsan grandmother trying to bring my grandson home. He’s now 10 months old, and every day without him is a reminder of how broken our system is. I’ve had six social workers in the time since Angel was born, and each change only adds to the confusion. I recently received a letter from the daycare worker, explaining that she can’t keep Angel after August 31st. The owner realized she wouldn’t be able to carry him down 19 flights of stairs in case of an emergency. Now I’m scrambling to find another daycare, and with so many closing down in Vancouver, my options are limited. The truth is, when it comes to Child Welfare, the system operates like a maze—full of barriers and roadblocks. If I had been able to apply for Guardianship through the Family Law Act, I could have had my grandson home months ago. Instead, we’re forced into a lengthy process that feels more like punishment than support. The polic...

Thoughts on the Article: Ian Mulgrew: Alex Gervais Tragedy Indicts More Than Ministry As a Gitxsan woman, I read Ian Mulgrew’s article about the tragic story of Alex Gervais, and it shakes me to my core. This isn’t just about one child; it reflects a much larger crisis that continues to unfold in our communities. Canada continues to take Aboriginal children, often without the knowledge of their bands, which are separate from our traditional communities. Many tribes never even know when a child has been taken into care, leaving families in the dark and hearts broken. It’s systemic racism at its worst, preventing our children from returning to the loving arms of their families and communities. Canada has failed to make any meaningful efforts to address the intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools. The scars left by those institutions run deep, affecting our people today. It feels as though it’s in Canada’s best interest to perpetuate the extinguishment of Indigenous people...