Update 12, Gitxsan Grandmothers Struggle with #ChildWelfare #Poverty #Genocide

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 father moved away, but they want to know more about how that affected me.

3. They’re inquiring about any mental health or substance use issues in my family. They want to dig deeper into my past and how I’ve broken any cycles.

4. They want to know what kind of parenting I learned from my family, including strengths and challenges. 

5. They questioned how I was disciplined as a child, wanting clarification on what I meant by “traditional, gentle yet strict.”

6. They’re asking me to describe my approach to parenting concretely—what will I do for my grandson?

7. They want details about all my past relationships, including names, dates, and where I lived, and if any were involved with Angel.

8. They’re probing into my children’s father and where we lived, wanting to know if my children are from the same father.

9. They asked about any abusive relationships, and when I said “not in a relationship,” they pushed for more information about one of my ex-partners who was violent.

10. They want to know how those situations were resolved and how I feel about those experiences now.

11. They inquired about my physical and mental health concerns, wanting more information from my doctor regarding my past treatments for anxiety, PTSD, and depression. 

12. They asked if I’ve ever been treated for a mental health condition and want specifics about my experiences with depression and anxiety.

13. Finally, they want to know what cultural practices I engage in as a Gitxsan person, expecting me to explain those traditions in detail.

As I read through these questions, I felt the weight of this process bearing down on me. I’ve had to answer these questions multiple times, and it feels like I’m being scrutinized instead of supported. I know that families like mine are often viewed through a lens of skepticism, and it’s disheartening.

It’s painful to navigate this system when all I want is to provide a loving home for my grandson. We need to advocate for change in how Indigenous families are treated within this process. It’s time for non-Indigenous people to understand the burdens we carry and to join us in this fight for justice.

As I prepare to update these responses, I hope that by sharing my story, we can inspire others to consider the realities of Indigenous families facing systemic barriers. Together, we can push for a system that respects our traditions and values, one that truly supports families rather than tearing them apart.

Thank you for listening and for standing with us in this journey. Your support can make a difference in lives like mine.

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