Update 27, Gitxsan Grandmothers Struggle with #ChildWelfare #Poverty #Genocide

Hey everyone,

It’s been a bit since I last shared about my grandbabies, so here’s an update from the shadows of my memory.

Last December, my granddaughter D ended up in the hospital. Some of you might remember her—she was taken by her stepfather and never came back. The Ministry took her away when she was just a few months old, right after my son passed. I had barely begun to grieve when I agreed to let her stepfather take her to visit his family for a week. I thought it would give me a little break, but he never brought her back. He cut me off and, after getting parental rights, he took me to court. We fought for ten long years, and in December 2015, I lost all parental rights. 

Then in December 2018, the Ministry got involved again after D tried to take her own life. I went back to court and finally managed to gain exclusive parental responsibilities, but the system has caused so much harm and abuse to my grandchildren, all while protecting someone who shouldn’t have been trusted.

My baby grandson A is still with me, and he’s doing well, thank the spirits. Now, I’ve got a new granddaughter, Dx, who’s still in care. Just last month, I found out that I’ll be taking her in.

Here’s the challenge: I recently moved up north for a good job, but now I need to go back to the Lower Mainland to be closer to my oldest grandson. I need his help with his siblings to bring our family together. I’m stuck in a lease and broke from moving so many times, including a tough attempt to live on the reserve. I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, and it’s wearing me down.

I worry about it all. I’m trying my best to make it work. God help me.

On a side note, one of the hardest parts of my life has always been dealing with family and friends who judge and carry so much hate. No matter what life throws at me, that’s been one of my biggest struggles. But I’m grateful for my son and some wonderful friends and family who treat me with kindness and respect.

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