Update 28, Gitxsan Grandmothers Struggle with #ChildWelfare #Poverty #Genocide

Hey there,

It’s been a tough week for me, that’s for sure. The day I dreaded has come; I’m back in a struggle with the ministry to get my youngest granddaughter back home where she belongs.

I got a call from the social worker, and honestly, it felt like an attack. She was pretty aggressive. She said we can’t even start the home assessment until my oldest grandson gets a Criminal Record Check (CRC). She mentioned there’s a report out there about him having some charges, and because of that, my granddaughter can’t be alone with her brother until that CRC comes back clean.

Let me tell you, my grandson faced a lot of hate last year—bullying that spiraled into a dark place for him. He fell into depression and even tried to take his life because of the rumors flying around at school. Some parents went and made a police report based on those rumors, which now shows up on his CRC. Even though there was no truth to it, that report is going to haunt him, and now every child he has could be taken away until he proves he’s safe.

The truth is, Indigenous people often get criminalized based on stereotypes and hearsay rather than real evidence. Reports have shown that systemic racism leads to our people being unfairly labeled as criminals, often based on unfounded accusations and negative stereotypes. These biases create a narrative that paints us in a bad light, making it easier for the system to justify the removal of our children. It’s like we’re guilty until proven innocent, and that’s not fair at all.

I’ve included my complaint about one of the social workers, which has a summary of everything that’s happened so far. Sorry for the messy blackouts and mistakes; I don’t have anyone editing for me.

I’ve also sent my emails to the social worker and CC'd anyone I hope might lend a hand. So far, the only response I’ve gotten was from Melanie Marks’ office. It would be great if we could change things, like shutting down those Delegated Agencies and just having the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) deal with it directly. Enough of the government taking our kids away under Canadian law with these hired Indian Agents.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello VACFSS,

I’m reaching out again since I haven’t heard back. I’m resending the CRC and release forms.

When I got that call from Katie on Tuesday, I felt like I was under attack. It was a hostile conversation, and I felt like I was being set up to admit I’d done something wrong or was hiding information. I know this is a tactic social workers use to get people to feel guilty.

I've seen it all too often as an advocate, watching social workers grill clients for anything they can use to snatch kids away after a report is made. It feels like our Indigenous people are treated like criminals, while others seem to get a free pass. I know people struggling with drugs, alcohol, and violence who don’t face the same scrutiny because they’re seen as “good citizens,” allowed to figure their issues out on their own. 

Systemic racism is something I’m all too familiar with. I’ve been fighting to keep my family together since my kids were born.

I was shocked when the call went from planning a home visit to discussing my grandson's supposed charge. I felt frozen. My sister, who deals with PTSD, said she was going to tell her social worker about my grandson's charge two months ago, which isn’t true. I feel sorry for the boys in my family; they bear the brunt of her rage.

As I mentioned before, my grandson was bullied and harassed—possibly even targeted as a hate crime. The police wouldn’t take a report, maybe because it was white kids doing the bullying. My grandson says three girls spread rumors at Kitsilano Secondary, calling him a rapist. He faced threats and harassment, which led him to quit school out of depression, and then the parents filed charges. Those charges were dropped when they found no merit, but the damage is already done.

With Canada’s agenda to “solve the Indian problem,” we have these specialized Indian agents like social workers from Delegated Agencies, logging every report made against our people. They often rely on hearsay and stereotypes that paint us as dangerous or unfit. Is this a human rights issue? Absolutely. Does anyone care? Not really. Society’s been brainwashed to think this is just how it is, that it’s “better them than you.”

I was shocked and frozen, not just because I carry the trauma of intergenerational genocide and residential schools, but because my sister threw us under the bus when she knew the charges were dropped. I realized then that every child my grandson has could be taken away, all because of the deep-rooted racism against Indigenous peoples in Canada.

I know MCFD’s job is to “protect” kids, but as a mother and grandmother, I’m here to protect them too. Our rights as Indigenous people have been stripped away and replaced with systemic racism, treating us as if we’re incapable.

I don’t need to tell you that the plan to eliminate the Indian problem comes with multiple barriers to accessing resources. Only the privileged have resources at their fingertips.

I don’t want my grandson to endure more racism, especially from the ministry. Please complete the CRC attached and set up a meeting with my lawyer to go over any remaining concerns the Ministry has.

I’m asking you, while you’re doing your jobs as “Indian Agents,” to be kind and treat us with dignity and respect.

Thank you for your help,

Stephanie Morgan

CC anyone who can use my experience to help stop this genocide.

Hey,

Just wanted to clarify that the charge was dropped because it was found to be a rumor, with no merit. Nothing was done to the white families involved regarding the racism and bullying.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 26, 2019, at 11:02 AM, Stephanie Morgan wrote:
Hi Jen,

I asked for your help with my grandson to fill out the CRC forms. Were they ever completed or sent to VACFSS?

I got a call from a VACFSS social worker saying my grandson was reported to have sexual assault charges. Now they want to do a CRC, which I thought was already done. It makes it seem like I’ve been holding back information.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to keep my family together while dealing with this heavy systemic racism and ongoing prejudice that's accepted in society.

I’m worried because the Ministry seems eager to remove Indigenous children. I’m working hard to get my baby granddaughter back from care while caring for my 4-year-old grandson.

I thought you were here to help youth, and I’m sorry if I misunderstood.

My grandson faced bullying and harassment—maybe even a hate crime—at Kitsilano Secondary. Because of the rumors, parents filed a criminal report. Now, Eathan is facing gross injustice for the rest of his life, just because he’s Indigenous. Every child he has could be taken away, or he could be cut out of their lives because of the privileged kids spreading their hate.

We tried to report it to the police, but they wouldn’t take it seriously, saying, “we don’t do anything about rumors.”

Who is here to help us? No one. This racism is intentional, part of the plan to rid the "Indian Problem."

Stephanie Morgan
604-3

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: Stephanie Morgan
Date: June 25, 2019 at 3:44:38 PM PDT
To: "Anthony (tony) Prkacin"
Subject: Fw: CRC and Consent attached
Hi Tony,
Here’s the CRC I sent to the school social worker for Eathan to fill out. They didn’t receive it, so I’ll fill it out and send it to the social worker.
Stephanie

From: Stephanie Morgan
Sent: April 29, 2019 11:49 AM
To:
Subject: CRC and Consent attached
Hi Jen,

Here are the forms that need to be completed.

Thank you,

Stephanie Morgan

--------------------------------------------------------

Thank You,

Eliane BA, BSW
Child Protection Social Worker

Aboriginal Intake & Family Services
Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society


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