#2. Find your local reconciliation organization.
#3. If there isn’t one, consider joining together with others to start one. The region that we inhabit (the south central portion of Treaty 8 and unceded Metis territory) is filled with amazing organizations. While Edmonton has their own specific reconciliation organization, I've come to realize that every organization in our vast region is working towards reconciliation. Whether they are a non-Indigenous or Indigenous government, corporation, or individual, there is a spirit of reconciliation in all corners of the region. It feels like the momentum of reconciliation in our region is currently electric. For so long, the stick of failure has overshadowed the carrot of hope, in terms of genuine reconciliation. Those of us who have dedicated our professional and volunteer careers to a mutually beneficial relationship between Canada and original inhabitants, it has been an uphill push, slowed by intergenerational historic trauma and institutional racism. Only in the last few years has there been an nation-wide willingness both to speak and to hear personal truths. In my humble opinion, truth will unequivocally lead to healing, and healing will lead us all to reconciliation. We've all heard those naysayers who say that now the TRC sessions are complete, that we should get on with reconciliation and be done with it. While some see reconciliation as a process or an event, I prefer to see it as the space one would welcome one another to share one's truth. Which brings me to the Act of Reconciliation of seeking out a reconciliation organization. We don't need an organization to have a conversation, to listen intently, or to share one's story about how the system of colonialism has impacted us and our family members. It is the space between all of you and me, and between you and you and you. Our relationship, whatever that may consist of (friend, colleague, acquaintance) is at the centre of truth. Truth is the foundation upon which reconciliation, a new reciprocal and mutually beneficial Canada and Indigenous Nations will co-exist. Canada’s Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission defines reconciliation in the following manner: “Reconciliation is an ongoing individual and collective process, and will require commitment from all those affected including First Nations, Inuit and Métis former Indian Residential School (IRS) students, their families, communities, religious entities, former school employees, government and the people of Canada. Reconciliation may occur between any of the above groups” (Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, 2006). Where does that leave us in regards to a specific organization, I don't believe we need one organization to instigate truth telling and reconciliation. From what I've seen so far, we are going down a positive path, creating space for truth and eventual reconciliation between many organizations and many individuals. Keep going! We will chance the world for the better, for everyone.
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1/20/2018 1 Comment #54: Learn about how the child welfare system is failing Indigenous families. Write a letter to your elected representative asking for change.
In case we haven't had a chance to tell you, Ralph and I are looking to expand our little family of two humans and two dogs. In order to do so, we have a few options: adoption, foster to adoption and medical intervention. We are considering all possibilities, which meant learning a lot about the child welfare system in Alberta. While we learned about the system, we also learned some shocking facts:
If you are in anyway interested in opening your home, either as a foster home (where you need to do so with the complete understanding that the goal is to re-unite child with their parents or other family members - because that is the always the best place for kids to be), or as an adoptive home (where patience is a must), send me a message and I'll be glad to refer you. About the system. I don't believe that policy wording will be enough to change the course of the disproportional number of Indigenous children and youth in care. In my opinion policy follows law and we can keep changing the policy but in the end the law will still prevail. Then what was the point of all those edits and revisions other than to distract us from the foundation upon which the policies stand. So here it is and let me preface that I am not an expert in the fields of law or social work (so feel free to skewer at will). Should a transformation take place in the child welfare system that would positively impact Indigenous children and youth in care, the system as a whole needs to be replaced or integrated with Indigenous law. Indigenous laws or legal orders are alive and "may include relationships to the land, the spirit world, creation stories, customs, processes of deliberation and persuasion, codes of conduct, rules, teachings and axioms for living and governing." (White, 2016) I believe that law (how we conduct ourselves) is embedded in our languages and even if you don't speak our/your language it exists in a space we are unaware of when we communicate in other languages (also not a linguist). My letter to my elected officials of my First Nation and the province will recommend transformative action through two initial steps:
In the end it is about children, who are not to blame for their circumstances and would thrive in stable and loving homes, and their families who may not have the ability or are suffering from trauma, which doesn't diminish their love or bond with their child. Those of us who have the ability to positively impact both of their futures, should, whether it is sending a letter, or becoming a foster/adoptive home (hint hint). Update: A friend reached out to mention their positive experience with open adoption through an adoption agency. The above blog post only speak to what happens post—apprehension and honestly I didn’t consider the options prior to apprehension taking place. Friend, thank you so much for sharing your experience and the benefits of an open adoption through an agency. Here is their experience: Reading your latest post and wanted to share a little tid bit of information. When our child was born (a Friday evening after our agency was already closed and an on call social worker was on duty) social services showed up to apprehend. We were so close to losing this baby who we had prepared and were waiting for. The worker said “if we go in that room and you can’t explain the plan to me, I will have to apprehend” (or along those lines anyways). I don’t understand why foster care is there first go-to? Why not have some pamphlets and information on hand about open adoption? Refer them to an agency worker so they can be counselled in their options? An open adoption is so much better on everyone’s part than the foster care system. Our baby’s birth parents have lots on interaction, they know where we are and how to contact when they want or need to. References:
1. White, E. Making Space for Indigenous Law (January 12, 2016) link: http://jfklaw.ca/making-space-for-indigenous-law/ 2. Walkem, A. Wrapping Our Ways Around Them (2015) link: http://www.nntc.ca/docs/wowat_bc_cfcsa_1.pdf |
About me
I grew up in Athabasca, AB and have spent the majority of my life in Northern Alberta or Montreal, PQ. My husband has been in Fort McMurray since the 70s and continues to love this town and all that it has to offer. We are avid outdoor enthusiasts, spending our summer weekends quadding and camping. As Opimian members we thoroughly enjoy wine pairings and tastings and are working on our wine collection. Ralph is a carpenter by trade and has framed more houses in Fort McMurray than I could count and knows the city inside and out. I work all throughout the region from the NWT to Janvier for the tribal council. My passion is doodling and photography which is featured throughout the website (various mediums), writing, Indigenous studies, and learning in general. Categories |