Laws of Matriarch

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 ...

I’m not sure I can face this journey for my granddaughter; the hatred from the step-parents is heavy, and my family doesn’t always rally behind me. Betrayal is common, and I’ve had enough of that poison. Since my sister let her bitterness take over and spread ugly lies about me, claiming I’ve stolen from our mom, the family’s turned against me. If those rumors were true, they'd have every reason to be angry, but it's not like I’m the first one in this family to take from a parent. I can’t forget what my sister and niece are capable of. They’ll feed a girl lies disguised as sweetness, bury a boy because a priest thought he was guilty, and she watched Martin Tremblay murder my nieces while she did his drugs. These memories, these truths, justify my mistrust of family. My niece can handle the step-parents on her own; I know that stepdad has a soft spot for her anyway... Breathe... Breathe... I can feel the pain flooding in when I talk to Diversity, hearing every hateful word her s...

Hi everyone, I just wanted to give you a quick update regarding my grandson's status card application with VACFSS. Since he was placed under Section 54.01, he hasn’t had any provincial medical or dental coverage. When children are removed, the ministry doesn’t prioritize making sure they have everything in place when they’re returned to their family and community, or when they age out. Families can't register a child for Indian Status without a court order, and the ministry neglects this important responsibility. Many families don’t realize there’s been no coverage until it’s time for a check-up. In Canada, Aboriginal people must present an Indian Status Card along with their Care Card to receive coverage, unlike everyone else in the country. Here’s my latest email to VACFSS to follow up on my grandson’s registration so I can order his Status Card: --- Hello, Has anyone heard from INAC regarding Angel’s registration?  I’m also wondering if Dax'gyet’s application has been ma...

Okay, I’ve had my grandson in my custody under Section 54.3 for 9 months now, and he’s currently 2 years and 9 months old. For those 9 months, he has been without medical coverage because the ministry has neglected to prioritize getting everything in place for his medical coverage before he was released from VACFSS custody. I spoke with Sasha about this issue and submitted the court order to Indian Affairs two months ago, but I still haven’t heard back. Once Angel is registered for Indian Status, I can order his status card, and once I receive that card, he will finally be covered under MSP. Since getting the signed court order two months ago, my grandson has been covered under my work plan with Blue Cross. However, I know that most Aboriginal people don’t have employment, which means many Indigenous children go without medical coverage for far too long. Below is the latest string of emails regarding the progress of Angel’s Indian Status registration: --- Hi, Maybe you can speak with ...

Ok,  I’ve been feeling like some of my family have gotten weirder lately, and it hurts. The ways of white culture are hard for me to accept sometimes.  As Gitxsan, we usually let everyone know what’s happening in our lives, and we gather together to pray and welcome new life. These days, though, when families have a baby, the hospitals are often swamped, making it harder to connect.  It feels like white people have become estranged from their families, even from siblings, freezing everyone out. I can’t help but feel hurt by how strange things have become, and I miss the closeness of my family. When my boy Conan passed away, I stopped having dinners. It was a tough time for me. Thankfully, someone stepped in and helped me start inviting people over again. They also helped me work through my anxiety about traveling.  Now, I notice that some of my siblings don’t talk to each other anymore. No one replies to messages, and no one comes together like we used to. It makes ...

As you know, I’ve been struggling to get medical coverage for my grandson, who is now 2.5 years old. I still haven’t been able to secure it. To get First Nations medical coverage for our grandchildren, grandparents need a signed court order and an Indian Status Registration—period. I’m hopeful that I can have my grandson registered with our band in about a month. I will apply for his Status Card, but I know that will take 6 to 8 months to receive, which will finally give Angel the medical coverage he needs. VACFSS has been working on Angel’s Indian registration for 2.5 years, ever since he was removed from his home. He has been in my custody for the past six months, and I feel the weight of this ongoing struggle. I also want to update you on my granddaughter, Dex. I took it upon myself to register her birth certificate and Indian Status. She was born on November 7, 2017, but like her brother, she has also been removed and is currently in VACFSS custody. Here is my latest email update t...

Today, I received the signed court order for my grandson, Angel, and I feel a mix of relief and concern as I move forward. Here’s my latest email to the government of Canada and the province: --- To: "MCF PDCW MCF:EX" MCF.PDCW@gov.bc.ca (mailto:MCF.PDCW@gov.bc.ca);   Cc: "Horgan.MLA, John LASS:EX"; John.Horgan.MLA@leg.bc.ca (mailto:John.Horgan.MLA@leg.bc.ca);   "Dix, Adrian HLTH:EX"; Adrian.Dix@gov.bc.ca (mailto:Adrian.Dix@gov.bc.ca);   "Brown, Stephen R HLTH:EX"; Stephen.Brown@gov.bc.ca (mailto:Stephen.Brown@gov.bc.ca);   "Ghostkeeper, Cindy MCF:EX"; Cindy.Ghostkeeper@gov.bc.ca (mailto:Cindy.Ghostkeeper@gov.bc.ca);   Hello, I want to update you that I received a signed order today from counsel. I’m hopeful it won’t take long to add Angel as a dependent to an extended health plan. As a working parent, this means he will finally have the medical coverage he needs. However, this gap in coverage has left many First Nations children withou...

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 ...

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

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 ...

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...

I’m a single grandmother raising my 15-year-old grandson and my 13-month-old baby grandson. Right now, I’m facing ongoing challenges with #ChildWelfare, and I’m struggling with daycare issues. I’m about to lose my daycare at the end of this month, on August 29th. The daycare owner has realized she can't carry Angel down 19 flights of stairs in case of a fire alarm, and that puts us in a tough spot. I’m really worried because my options are limited if I can’t find a new daycare. The daycare owner also mentioned that she will need to relocate her daycare, as she doesn’t think she can afford to stay in Vancouver with the skyrocketing housing costs. She said many daycare providers are finding it too expensive to operate in this city. If I can’t find a daycare, I’ll be faced with some difficult choices: - I could put Angel back into VACFSS Ministry care and start all over again. - I might have to take an unpaid leave from work, risking my job. - I could lose my home. - I might have to m...

Why is Christy Clark still forcing child protection on all families? My grandson was born in June 2015, and ever since then, I’ve been navigating the arduous process with the Aboriginal Delegated Agency. It feels like a never-ending battle. Under the Child in Home of a Relative program, children would usually return to their families within months by going through the Family Law Act, often with just two court appearances. Childcare was covered, children received CIHR support, and child tax benefits were accessible. But now, every child who has family they can live with is forced into the child protection process. This means more expensive hours in court, and for many children, it takes a year or even two before they can return to their families—if they’re lucky. It also means high foster care costs for the Ministry. The ministry has a long list of requirements that must be met before any home can be approved. These lists are often put together by nurses and social workers, creating a m...

April 2016: Grandmother's Update on My Grandson Hello, everyone.  I want to share an update on my journey to bring my grandson home. As I prepare to get him on May 31, 2016, under a Temporary Custody Order, I feel the weight of this system pressing down on me. The ministry will not provide any financial support, such as child tax benefits, until July 14th. This is yet another inhumane policy that puts me in a precarious position, making me feel like I have to beg for what should be rightfully ours. I’ve been reflecting on my feelings of anger towards some family and friends. Some understand my struggle, while others don’t. I’ve lost connections because I get overly defensive and sensitive. If anyone speaks poorly about me or my children, they should expect to face the wrath of a mother bear. I will not stand for it. I’ve been fighting to get my grandson out of ministry care, and this battle against Canadian laws has been exhausting. I feel a constant anxiety from the convoluted and...

Update: A Letter to Anyone Listening My grandson is almost 10 months old, and I find myself filled with sadness and frustration as I navigate this challenging journey.  I’ve found two daycares for him, but I’ve lost both spots. It feels like I’m running in circles, trying to secure a future for him. I still haven’t been served papers to go to court for a temporary custody order, which leaves me in limbo. I can’t get daycare covered until I have my grandson in my care, but I can’t hold a daycare spot without him. It feels like a cruel game of “catch-22.” I can’t take maternity leave because I’m neither a parent nor a foster parent in the eyes of the system. I work full time, but I’m worried about losing my job if I take an unpaid leave. The fear of becoming homeless looms over me if I step back from work.  The process with VACFSS has become so burdensome, and I’m left feeling trapped in a precarious position as a low-income single parent. My file has been frozen since the last ...

A Grandmother's Plea for Support My grandson Angel is just 9 months old, yet he’s already in the care of the ministry. As his grandmother, I am fighting to bring him home, but the path ahead is riddled with obstacles. I recently sent a letter to Team Leader Claudia, with @Puglaas CC'd, to express my concerns about the system. If I could apply for guardianship through the Family Law Act (FLA), I would have had my grandson in my arms within a few months. But the BC government has cut the 'Child in Home of a Relative' program, leaving low-income families like mine with no options. The FLA is now out of reach, forcing us into a convoluted Child Protection process under the CFCSA. It’s disheartening to face delegated agencies meant for Aboriginal children. There’s nothing truly Indigenous about them; their policies and procedures are often just as oppressive, if not more so.  Last month, I was fortunate enough to secure a legal aid lawyer through an exception review. My l...

I am writing to share my experience of having my grandson in the care of MCFD. I hope my story provides some insight and helps you understand the process better. As you may know, my grandson has been apprehended by the ministry and is currently in temporary foster care. This is a reality that many Aboriginal children face, and it’s a painful experience for families like mine. I currently have my older grandson living with me under MCFD coverage, labeled as "child in home of a relative." I am subject to random home checks and Criminal Record Checks every few years, the last one being about seven months ago. Despite this arrangement, every child must go through the same "Out of Care Options Assessment." Unfortunately, this assessment can take a long time—anywhere from six months to two years—depending on the availability of the social worker. Right now, the social worker assigned to me has 71 files to manage. I met with my new social worker, Betty C., on November 19,...