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As someone who barely survived the foster care system as a queer Indigenous person, the orange shirts you wear don’t mean a lot to me unless you’re ready to fight for us. More Indigenous youth are apprehended now compared to when Residential Schools were open.
We are grossly over represented in the child welfare system, we make up less than 10% of the population but 60-90% (depending on province) of the youth in care.
We are grossly underfunded and under supported, so much that @cblackst has taken Canada to court.
We are grossly underfunded and under supported, so much that @cblackst has taken Canada to court.
If you don’t know about Jordan’s Principle maybe look it up or do some light reading because the denial of paying for life saving programs and medical services has added numerous barriers to Indigenous families for decades. https://fncaringsociety.com/jordans-principle
The ability to access education, a space to learn, grow and be in one’s community is essential. Shannen’s Dream is about ensuring Indigenous youth get the same educational opportunities of non-Indigenous students. Learn more here: https://fncaringsociety.com/shannens-dream
Returning to Cindy Blackstock: She and the @CaringSociety have been fighting tooth and nail for Indigenous youth for over a decade, demanding that the Government of Canada stop its discriminatory practices of underfunding Indigenous Youth.
If you think I’m talking a lot about the First Nations Family and Child Caring Society it’s because you’re right! They’ve taken the Government of Canada to the Supreme Court of Human Rights violations several times and won each time.
But these aren’t the only people fighting.
But these aren’t the only people fighting.
The community of former youth in care in the Indigenous community is vast and I’ve witnessed us throw down more often than not.
I’m not going to tell their stories but they have continued to fight, speak out and raise the next generation of NDN youth.
I’m not going to tell their stories but they have continued to fight, speak out and raise the next generation of NDN youth.
Settlers: Put some respect on Phyllis Jack Webstad’s name and witness her experiences. Her story is why Orange Shirt Day Exists.
Stop smiling in your photos. Stop looking cheery. This is about acknowledging the genocide you benefit from.
Stop smiling in your photos. Stop looking cheery. This is about acknowledging the genocide you benefit from.
Any Lawyers who wear orange today: Send me a DM because I want to file a class action lawsuit against the Province of BC.
If you wear an orange shirt but aren’t prepared to stop the grandchild of Residential Schools, you are only virtue signalling.
If you wear an orange shirt but aren’t prepared to stop the grandchild of Residential Schools, you are only virtue signalling.
The last Federally operated Residential School closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan.
I was two years old. How old were you if you were born before?
When did you first learn of Residential Schools? When did you first speak out in outrage? When did you realize this was evil?
I was two years old. How old were you if you were born before?
When did you first learn of Residential Schools? When did you first speak out in outrage? When did you realize this was evil?
I know some folks wonder why I’m still so angry, I aged out! have an okay life now! But I nearly died in care and nearly died aging out.
I’ve work with Indigenous youth in care. Gone to meetings, advocated for them, been in community with them
They are dying still.
I’ve work with Indigenous youth in care. Gone to meetings, advocated for them, been in community with them
They are dying still.
Do you know how heart breaking it is to have a youth die? To see their life before you and before you know it: it’s gone.
I’ve buried survivor and youth alike. So often I see our vast community at rallies and memorials. We are tired and sad, it’s exhausting.
I’ve buried survivor and youth alike. So often I see our vast community at rallies and memorials. We are tired and sad, it’s exhausting.
