To: Winnipeg Free Press – Birth Alerts – March 26,2020
Statement from Arlen Dumas, Grand Chief, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Next week, On April 1, 2020, the Manitoba government was scheduled to end the practice of birth alerts. As a result of the CoVid 19 pandemic, that will not happen now for several months. We realize that CoVid 19 is a critical reality for all Manitobans; however, our First Nations mothers and newborns babies have endured decades of unfair treatment and human rights violations. Their lives should not be discounted in light of Covid 19. The changes needed are within the Child and Family Services system and should not have vast impacts on the health care system. We call on the Manitoba government to be honorable to their commitment.
It is critically important to reiterate that as a result of this pandemic, too many of our families are struggling, as parents have had all their visits and access to their children cut off. There are over 11,000 children in Manitoba’s child welfare system, and almost 9,000 are First Nations children. That means tens of thousands of parents, grandparents and extended family are not able to visit with their children who are in foster care, and that reality may stretch into weeks and months. This is devastating for children and their families.
Birth alerts often result in newborn apprehensions. Every day in Manitoba, one newborn baby is taken away from his or her family. As the practice continues, interrupting the bonding and attachment of mother and infant has serious long-term health, spiritual and developmental affects as a consequence of separation.
We call on the Manitoba government to urgently provide supports to expectant mothers who are to give birth during this pandemic. No mother or child should experience the tragedy of a newborn apprehension. With proper supports, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs First Nations Family Advocate Office can assist by ensuring those mothers and families have access to much needed supports during these difficult times.
For decades, the child welfare system in Manitoba has failed First Nations children and families, and continues to fail them. It is a system formed by colonial legislation and regulations that do not work for First Nations families. The trajectory for these children in the foster system is bleak: increased levels of mental health issues, incarceration, suicide, homelessness, addictions, poverty, low education levels, loss of identity and the list goes on.
Ending birth alerts is a small step in addressing the many challenges and barriers families face in the current Child and Family Services system. It is the right thing to do. However, much more needs to change in order to support mothers and help keep families together.
In 2014, the AMC created the Bringing Our Children Home report. At that time, Manitoba Chiefs took the lead on calling on the provincial government to end the practice of birth alerts AND newborn apprehensions.
We, as First Nations people, must be full participants in collaboration with the Manitoba government to craft that support plan for families. We call on the Manitoba government to make that collaborative process happen.
