Finding Community: The Story Of Stolen Children
Sustainability Studies Thesis Defence
Event Details
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Wednesday, June 16, 2021
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Zoom
Cost: free
Finding Community: The Story Of Stolen Children
June 16, 2021
10:00 EDT (Zoom Meeting)
The following password will be required to enter the meeting: 169761
Examining Committee:
Pamela Palmater (Professor, Chair in Indigenous Governance, Ryerson University), Michele Lacombe (Supervisor), Dawn Lavell-Havard (Committee Member), Asaf Zohar (Committee Member), Lynne Davis (Chair)
Abstract:
This thesis explores the history of Indigenous child welfare in Manitoba and the effects of the Millennium Scoop on children in care. My research question is: what was the experience of children in care in Manitoba from 1990 to 2015? A related question is: how do survivors find healing? The paper begins with a discussion of the history of acts, policies, and practices that began with Indigenous child welfare during the running of Residential schools. Then the acts, reviews, and policies that have shaped child welfare in Manitoba are discussed more thoroughly. The main focus of the thesis is on the stories of Phoenix Sinclair, Tina Fontaine, and Natasha Reimer. I share their stories and provide an analysis of how child welfare has affected their lives. The negative effects of being a child in care are numerous. Being a child in care leaves behind grief, loss of identity, and loss of security. The systemic issues of child welfare include inadequate funding, overloaded case workers, staff burn out, and a lack of transparency. These overarching failures translate into the failure of children in care: details are overlooked, wrong decisions are made, and children are left to fend for themselves. Or they fall into the cracks and do not receive adequate care. This then translates into the deaths of children in care, or they are left to navigate life on their own and forced to create their own circle of supports. Despite all the complications and negative impacts, some children are able to succeed while in care. Natasha’s story is a perfect example of such resilience.