Innu protesters barricade windows of Sheshatshiu office
CBC News, Apr 25, 2013
Dozens of Innu protesters have blockaded the Newfoundland and Labrador Child, Youth and Family Services offices in Sheshatshiu.
The protesters have boarded up the windows of the building with wooden signs bearing slogans such as “bring our children back” and “baby snatchers.”
Sheshashui band councillor Jonas Rich said the group is upset that so many children have been removed from their homes. He said children are being fostered as far away as Saskatchewan and Ontario. He also said parents have told him they have had very little communication with officials about why their children have been taken away.
Rich said Innu children should be able to stay in Natuashish or Shetshatshiu: “The children not to be removed from the community because we got the resources there that are needed, we got the support team that would support the kids when they’re in crisis,” said Rich.
Rich estimated about 30 children have been recently removed from homes in Natuashish and Sheshashui.
They also said children have been put into care in other provinces, such as Ontario and Saskatchewan, where — they said —the children are losing their language and their culture.
The protesters said they want the children to be cared for in the community and the windows of the office will continue to be boarded up until they get some answers.
Government officials have said they are willing to work with the Innu people, and that government’s priority is to reunite children with their parents, but that it isn’t always possible.
Posted on April 25, 2013, in Uncategorized and tagged Innu, Innu Labrador, Innu Newfoundland, native blockades, native protests, Natives and foster care. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
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Reblogged this on Antidéveloppement and commented:
Des résistants Innus barricadent les vitres des bureaux des “Services (d’abus) de la jeunesse et de (destruction) de la famille” à Sheshatshiu.
What a highly ignoble act kidnapping and destroying children is, the fact that these people still continue the genocide with phoney smiles under the pretence of being a nice society sickens me. It is my understanding that Romany children are not still being taken by the Nazi party so why the hell is this Nazi country allowed to continue its genocide much less remain on our unceded territories?
Reblogged this on University of East Hastings and commented:
You steal the resources from our territories and our children, your motivation is gluttony and avarice, you commit genocide against all life in order to maintain a lifestyle of privilege and believe that taking our children and attempting to turn them into monsters like you is the right thing to do, we do not want our children to be ugly as you are, or dependant on your miserable and soulless society for survival.
I give great approval of the Innu protest the continued genocide of taking away the future generations. I myself am a Inuit was taken away via right next door at Northwest River. In Newfoundland it is extremely hard to get an exact figure on the number of children taken away since Sixties Scoop policy started.
I count myself lucky, as I eventually found parts of my family, mostly siblings. Sadly I missed both of my parents. I can tell you many aboriginal children are not as fortunate as I. There have been many online post adoption boards where I have heard gut wrenching stories of aboriginal kids growing into adulthood.
The worst part is your never truly accepted into white society and your often held suspicious when going home due to old social taboos spanning the decades. I can tell you with all experience and urgency; Get your Children back as soon as you can. It is better for all involved.
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