Update 30, Gitxsan Grandmothers Struggle with #ChildWelfare #Poverty #Genocide

It's been quite a while since my last update. My granddaughter Dax'gyet is now 2.5 years old and remains in the care of VACFSS.

We've been in lengthy negotiations with limited options and no financial support. VACFSS has indicated they would not oppose an FLA guardianship application after much back and forth, but this came with a presumption of risk. While FLA would provide disability child support and a regular government daycare subsidy, it still wouldn't cover living expenses. Based on my calculations, I would likely receive around $850, with the daycare subsidy estimated at $750, but as anyone with a child knows, daycare costs can reach about $1600 monthly.

After I submitted two complaints—one regarding a social worker who was causing delays in the children's return home, and another about systemic racism in the policies—VACFSS stopped communicating with me. Luckily, since Claudia has temporarily taken over as director, social worker Justin has been allowed to speak with me again. Claudia even reached out for an update and suggested my grandson could stay elsewhere until the CFCSA 54.01 order was in place. I had to remind her that with COVID-19, everyone is required to stay within their household.

Regardless, I wouldn’t allow my boy to leave. VACFSS has a track record of separating families, a practice I've witnessed for years, as the ministry often criminalizes Aboriginal people. After the loss of my son, I vowed never to separate my family again.

Here's the latest update:

A few days ago, my lawyer informed me that because Burnaby MCFD has opened a supportive file for my older granddaughter, they are willing to subsidize my daycare for Dax'gyet if I proceed with the FLA guardianship application.

I've instructed my lawyer to start the application process under FLA.



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