Chief’s Statement Re: Children’s Advocate Report

Press Release

The tragic death of the child at the center of the report has deeply affected all involved and I would like to express our condolences to the family on their loss and extend our thoughts and prayers to the family on behalf of STC and our staff.

We would also like to reiterate that although STC Health and Family Services were working with the family, the child was not “in care”. As the past harms have demonstrated and continue to demonstrate when considering the Indigenous context of child welfare the balance of risk must include consideration of the possible harm from alienation from family community and culture. We know when children are removed from their families that a whole host of other risks increase such as suicide, homelessness, and exposure to violence and victimization.

We would caution against opinions being portrayed as statements of facts when these matters are being addressed from the appropriate authority. Our only comment is that the dispute between STC and MSS is over the proper termination of an Agreement between the Parties. This is in the public record and anything else is speculation or opinion. We will not comment further on matters currently before the courts.

We do not view our jobs as careers but rather we are helpers, committed to serving our children and families despite the challenges we face. We are always seeking ways to incorporate best practices to serve our families better and in ways which does not perpetuate the harms of the past but strive to empower our families to successfully parent their children independently.

Every single day First Nations struggle to overcome the legacy of historical state interference evidenced by Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop and now the Millennial Scoop. Every child should be with their family, community and culture whenever safe and possible.

Aboriginal Children continue to be overrepresented at alarming rates in the Canadian Child Welfare System; the recent report from the BC representative for Children and Youth begins to shed light on the horrors of Aboriginal Children’s experiences within state care. I do not believe that the issues raised in the Representatives report are unique to BC but a mere indication of issues facing Child Welfare nationally.

Returning to the way things have always been is not an option; the state should never be the first option to assume a parental role when families experience crisis. We all must work diligently and collaboratively to envision and ensure a better future for our children. All children have the right to be a child; to enjoy a childhood filled with people who love and support them.

First Nations continue to possess rights which are not only recognized in our Treaties signed with the Crown but are also protected by the Canadian Constitution and guaranteed by domestic and international instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, these rights are not merely “aspirations”. Don’t just take what the Child’s Advocate report says at face value; make the effort to understand the issues completely.

Unfortunately, there are two standards within this Province – the ones applied to mainstream families and those applied to First Nations and especially those living with limited income and resources. Continuing with the approach of investigation and intervention will guarantee the same outcome – more children coming into care. The targeted families can’t escape or mitigate the scrutiny (warranted or not). STC is committed to supporting children and families – fairly, compassionately and equitably. The Advocate and the Ministry may not agree with our techniques but the fact remains that STC is amongst the lowest in apprehensions but more importantly, in this case, applying and following the Ministry’s procedures would not have changed the outcome. STC refuses to be made over in homage of a system that perpetuates harm and destroys our future and the well-being of our children. Becoming an agent of the Ministry is not transformational – and it most certainly does not benefit our families.

STC remains committed to protecting the best interests of children and enhancing the well-being of families. Any time a child passes we feel this loss echo throughout our nations. STC actively works with leadership of the involved communities and respectful partners to develop solutions and put forward plans to assist in these transformational efforts.

To ensure we are not again misunderstood, STC Health & Family Services Inc. has made significant changes prior to the release of the Advocates report and we remain committed to continuous improvement to best serve our children and families. It is not an easy task but it is not one from which we will ever turn away.

Tribal Chief Felix Thomas

ILR5