WARNING: This story discussing distressing details.
He was born on a Friday and in foster care by Monday.
It would have been the next day if not for the weekend that fell in-between.
Social workers at ManitobaSA国际影视传媒檚 biggest birthing hospital didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have much time: moms and newborns are usually discharged within 48 hours.
The Cree mom, who told APTN News she was unaware she was pregnant when she gave birth at an inner-city SA国际影视传媒渢rap houseSA国际影视传媒�, had already disappeared once during the weekend.
Given her circumstances and lack of housing, social workers at the Health Sciences Centre [HSC] WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Hospital decided to seize the infant for his own protection.
But the momSA国际影视传媒檚 aunt and Cree nation are condemning the apprehension.
They say they were at the momSA国际影视传媒檚 side, advocating for her in the hospital, arranging for housing and family or SA国际影视传媒渒inshipSA国际影视传媒� care.
They want the baby returned.
SA国际影视传媒淭hese are inhumane, racist and uncivil practices,SA国际影视传媒� says the aunt, who canSA国际影视传媒檛 be named to protect the babySA国际影视传媒檚 identity.
ManitobaSA国际影视传媒檚 CFS Act has strict rules about reporting on children in care.
The aunt and chief of the momSA国际影视传媒檚 First Nation feel social workers with the hospital and ANCR [] made a mistake.
ANCR is responsible for all intake and emergency child and family services [CFS] in Winnipeg, it says on its website. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 also the way many children enter the CFS system and foster care.
SA国际影视传媒淕iven what we know about severing the mother-baby bond and SA国际影视传媒� trauma associated with growing up in foster care,SA国际影视传媒� says the aunt, SA国际影视传媒渢he system should be doing everything it can to keep mom and baby together.SA国际影视传媒�
The trauma she is referring to is that caused by the ongoing practice of separating Indigenous children from their families and communities not only in the present, but from the SA国际影视传媒�60s Scoop and residential school system in the past.
The aunt says two social workers SA国际影视传媒� one from the hospital and one from ANCR SA国际影视传媒� were involved in her nieceSA国际影视传媒檚 case.
She says the chief tried to intervene by calling the hospital to say the infant was one of his citizens. Yet, a Winnipeg police officer contacted one of the band councillors to say they were apprehending the baby anyway, the aunt added.
The chief could not be reached for comment.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was traumatic, chaotic, heartbreaking,SA国际影视传媒� agrees a friend of the aunt, who is a nurse and attended the hospital to support the mom. SA国际影视传媒淲innipeg is Ground Zero for apprehensions.
SA国际影视传媒淭his should be major news.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒楨very single daySA国际影视传媒�
Manitoba is known for having an over-representation of Indigenous children in its care. The CFS annual report for 2024 shows there were 8,919 children in the system and 91 per cent of them were First Nations, Inuit or M茅tis.
Earlier reports show the overall number of children in CFS care has been relatively stable and is showing a downward trend.
However, the number of newborns that are apprehended is not made public.
A provincial government spokesperson advised APTN to apply SA国际影视传媒渢hrough the FIPPA [] processSA国际影视传媒� for that statistic.
While anecdotal, the aunt says security guards at the hospital told her babies were regularly seized by social workers.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur children are being taken into state custody,SA国际影视传媒� she says. SA国际影视传媒淓very single day.SA国际影视传媒�
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a situation Indigenous parents, caregivers and leaders in Manitoba have long been aware of and are fighting to change. They have been lobbying for more involvement for decades.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur nations, we have the solutions,SA国际影视传媒� says Kyra Wilson, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs [AMC], which advocates for 63 First Nations in the province.
SA国际影视传媒淲e just need the support to ensure we have the capacity and the infrastructure to make sure our children and families are supported in community.SA国际影视传媒�
The friend of the aunt says she witnessed two First Nations children being seized by social workers in one day at the hospital.
The speed and finality of it seemed unreal.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was very chaotic,SA国际影视传媒� she says, noting she challenged the social workers involved in the momSA国际影视传媒檚 case.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was saying, SA国际影视传媒榃hy do you have to take him? ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no reason for you guys to take him SA国际影视传媒� Why canSA国际影视传媒檛 we figure something out? WeSA国际影视传媒檙e all here working together?SA国际影视传媒� and they were just, SA国际影视传媒楴o SA国际影视传媒� weSA国际影视传媒檙e taking the babySA国际影视传媒�,SA国际影视传媒� the friend says.
SA国际影视传媒淎nd I was, well, SA国际影视传媒榃here are you taking him? A strangerSA国际影视传媒檚? He has family out of townSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� I said, SA国际影视传媒榃e needed more time but we were all rallying around her. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a room at [the auntSA国际影视传媒檚] house for [mom and baby] to go to, and they were just, SA国际影视传媒楴o. Absolutely no, the babySA国际影视传媒檚 coming with us today and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 it. And they took him.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�
The friend says she doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 understand it.
SA国际影视传媒淸The aunt] is a researcher [and a PhD candidate]; ISA国际影视传媒檓 a nurse. Two women like that advocating for her and we still couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 make a difference? ItSA国际影视传媒檚 so disheartening,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
SA国际影视传媒楽ystemic oppressionSA国际影视传媒�
A new report shows a shocking level of CFS involvement in the lives of Indigenous families in Manitoba.
The [U of M] analyzed data from more than 13,000 First Nations parents and nearly 106,700 non-First Nations parents who had their first child during the 20-year period between 1998 and 2019.
Researchers found that half of SA国际影视传媒淔irst Nations birthing parents in Manitoba experience significantly higher rates of contact with CFS compared to non-First Nations birthing parents.SA国际影视传媒�
The data showed:
50 per cent of all First Nations birthing parents had an open CFS file SA国际影视传媒� a rate nearly four times higher than non-First Nations parents
27 per cent of all First Nations birthing parents experienced removal of one or more of their children SA国际影视传媒� a rate nearly six times higher than non-First Nations parents
10 per cent of all First Nations birthing parents experienced termination of parental rights of one or more of their children SA国际影视传媒� a rate more than five times higher than non-First Nations parents
Kathleen Kenny, a postdoctoral fellow in community health sciences at the U of MSA国际影视传媒檚 Max Rady College of Medicine, says no previous study in the province or elsewhere has estimated population-level rates of CFS contact among parents.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur research shows devastating levels of disruption and harm by CFS to First Nations families and communities over the past 20 years that is broad and extensive,SA国际影视传媒� Kenny tells APTN News.
Wilson, the grand chief, agrees.
SA国际影视传媒淭his system was never built for us,SA国际影视传媒� she says. SA国际影视传媒淚t does not reflect who we are, how we care for each other or what our children need.
SA国际影视传媒淓very child removed from their family and nation is a tragedy.SA国际影视传媒� Wilson adds. SA国际影视传媒淚t breaks the sacred and spiritual bonds, severs connection to land, and inflicts lasting harm on our Nations.SA国际影视传媒�
In a news release, Wilson says when SA国际影视传媒渉alf of all First Nations birthing parents have an open CFS file, that is not protection; it is systemic oppression. Forcing our families into colonial frameworks is a violation of our rights and our sovereignty.SA国际影视传媒�
The study recommends, among other things, investing in First Nations-led care systems, building family reunification homes on reserves, and providing social assistance and public housing for parents following an apprehension.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 what Nahanni Fontaine, minister of families in the provincial NDP government, says she is trying to do.
SA国际影视传媒淢y number 1 focus is to decolonize child welfare,SA国际影视传媒� says Fontaine. SA国际影视传媒淢y number 1 focus is to ensure that children are with their families, in their communities, immersed in their language and their culture and traditions.SA国际影视传媒�
The minister, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, says her department is working to keep families together by transferring power to Indigenous CFS agencies and encouraging social workers to place children with their own families.
But Indigenous agencies are mandated to follow CFS guidelines, notes Mary Anne Clarke, a social work professor at the U of M, whose 40-year career includes working with First Nations in northern Manitoba.
SA国际影视传媒淭his perpetuates the harm against First Nations families even though it may have the best of intentions,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
SA国际影视传媒淭he [First Nations] grandmothers say, SA国际影视传媒榃hy canSA国际影视传媒檛 baby stay with his mother?SA国际影视传媒� This goes against whatSA国际影视传媒檚 been ingrained in the system.SA国际影视传媒�
Clarke has seen first-hand the damage suffered by parents and communities when a child is apprehended. She says itSA国际影视传媒檚 better to strengthen and unify families.
Late last year, Manitoba amended the CFS act to recognize four new types of care: family, customary, voluntary and kinship. The kinship care involves placing children with family members or close kin, while customary care focuses on keeping children connected to their culture and communities.
The aunt doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 know why those avenues werenSA国际影视传媒檛 followed in this case. Instead, sheh says they were all traumatized by the ordeal.
SA国际影视传媒淢y niece was freaked out by a social worker and [uniformed] police officers at her bedside. She fled the hospital,SA国际影视传媒� the aunt says, noting she found her niece and brought her back.
SA国际影视传媒淪he was still kind of medically unwell and different specialists came in to talk to her.SA国际影视传媒�
ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 when she and her friend encouraged the mom to breastfeed the baby and cuddle him against her warm skin.
SA国际影视传媒淲e started trying to support her bonding with the baby,SA国际影视传媒� says the aunt, adding it was her nieceSA国际影视传媒檚 second child.
SA国际影视传媒淪he was very caring and loving and proud of baby,SA国际影视传媒� adds the friend. SA国际影视传媒淸The aunt] had bought things: a car seat, stroller, clothes, Pampers [diapers], glass [milk] bottles the mom wanted.
SA国际影视传媒淪he prepared a whole room in her home for them.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒業tSA国际影视传媒檚 so disconnectedSA国际影视传媒�
But it was too late. ANCR had already imposed the apprehension order on Friday afternoon, says the friend.
On Monday, she says it appeared that the mom was being prevented from seeing the baby.
SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 when things went really down from thereSA国际影视传媒�,SA国际影视传媒� says the friend.
SA国际影视传媒淢onday afternoon ANCR was there to take the baby. I went into the room and they were undressing him from the clothes that we brought for him,SA国际影视传媒� she says. SA国际影视传媒淭hey were just adamant about not bringing anything that belonged to baby SA国际影视传媒� They already had him in the car seat, strapped in, [wearing] a diaper shirt and a little hat.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey were just looking for blanketsm and I said, SA国际影视传媒楬e has clothes. We have all these things for himSA国际影视传媒� and they kept saying, SA国际影视传媒楴o, no, no, weSA国际影视传媒檙e not going to bring any of that stuff, it will just get lost.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�
The friend says it left her emotional and confused.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was questioning the social workers about [the mom wanting] to breastfeed him and now what is she supposed to do? And they said, SA国际影视传媒楾hereSA国际影视传媒檚 freezer bags here. If she wants to she can freeze her breast milk and weSA国际影视传媒檒l see about arranging picking it up for him or whateverSA国际影视传媒�.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淪A国际影视传媒� ItSA国际影视传媒檚 heartbreaking to watch that happen so quickly SA国际影视传媒� What was such a rush? They barely gave us a chance SA国际影视传媒A国际影视传媒�
She adds: SA国际影视传媒淚 just donSA国际影视传媒檛 understand how the system works. When thereSA国际影视传媒檚 all those different people why we couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 have come to a better conclusion?SA国际影视传媒�
The mom hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 even named the baby yet, says the aunt.
SA国际影视传媒淗ere we are, looking after our own people. We were looking after each other. But none of that mattered to them,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
When she called ANCR the next day for an update, the aunt says she was told the baby and his file were transferred to the Cree Nation Child and Family Caring Agency. ANCR was unable to discuss the case, but noted it takes child protection seriously.
SA国际影视传媒淭here were so many barriers,SA国际影视传媒� says the aunt, SA国际影视传媒渁nd itSA国际影视传媒檚 so disconnected. The communication was really lost.SA国际影视传媒�
Both mom and baby were ill following the birth and required medical care.
SA国际影视传媒淸My niece] was in no shape to answer social workersSA国际影视传媒� questions,SA国际影视传媒� the aunt says, SA国际影视传媒渂ut SA国际影视传媒� they wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 let up SA国际影视传媒� They came in when she was sleeping, they interrupted when she was with the doctor.SA国际影视传媒�
The aunt says she documented everything she could while she was at the hospital between Fri., Jan. 3 and Mon., Jan. 6. She forwarded her notes, recordings and text messages to APTN during that time.
She also filmed the social workers leaving with the baby on Monday.
SA国际影视传媒淲hy are they taking the baby?SA国际影视传媒� she asks on video seen by APTN.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou canSA国际影视传媒檛 film us,SA国际影视传媒� two women respond while trying to shield their faces and carry the baby in a car seat.
The video goes dark when a security guard tells the aunt to turn off her phone.
These are SA国际影视传媒渦nethical and overtly racist practices,SA国际影视传媒� says the aunt via email, noting she has researched the generational impacts of the CFS system on Indigenous families in Manitoba over the past 125 years as part of her PhD preparation.
She says a dedicated team of Indigenous carers at the hospital with a pro-family approach would make all the difference for mom and baby.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat if there was a special ward at the hospital dedicated to nurturing the bond, while they both received the medical treatment they needed, and supports were put in place SA国际影视传媒� much like [the provincial and municipal governments] are talking about doing for homeless people?SA国际影视传媒�
Manitoba NDP Premier Wab Kinew and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham have announced a joint strategy to eliminate chronic homelessness by providing housing and needed supports for people with complex needs living in encampments.
The aunt says the same should be offered to Indigenous mothers who are at risk of losing their children.
SA国际影视传媒淣ow my niece has to fight in court to get her baby back,SA国际影视传媒� says the aunt. SA国际影视传媒淪he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have the capacity [or] resources for that. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 ill herself.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒業f no one called 9-1-1 for me SA国际影视传媒A国际影视传媒�
The niece spoke briefly with APTN over the phone.
The 31-year-old says she didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know she was in labour when someone at the house called emergency responders. She says a social worker arrived with police and firefighters and told her the baby would be seized.
SA国际影视传媒淚f nobody called 9-1-1 for me I wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be alive right now,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
The baby weighed seven pounds, four ounces.
The aunt was unaware her niece was pregnant and unhoused. But says she told social workers and nurses right away she was SA国际影视传媒渁 biological family memberSA国际影视传媒� with whom her niece and the newborn could live with south of Winnipeg.
Also, she says she offered to take the baby while her niece remained in hospital for medical treatment. She says once an infant is in the system, it is nearly impossible to get him or her out.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat we have been doing is not working,SA国际影视传媒� agrees Clarke, the professor, about apprehensions. SA国际影视传媒淭hings are changing slower than First Nations want.SA国际影视传媒�
She supports the move to create Indigenous-led child welfare systems in Canada as the Justin Trudeau Liberal government spelled out in Bill C92.
Passed in 2019, the law allows First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis governments to take control of their own child welfare programs.
Uptake is positive, says Indigenous Services Canada [ISC], which shows on its website that already 40 communities have said theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to SA国际影视传媒渆xercise their legislative authority in relation to child and family services (CFS) under Bill C-92.
SA国际影视传媒淭his indicates a significant number of communities are actively engaging with the legislation to establish their own CFS systems,SA国际影视传媒� ISC adds in an email.
This story was produced as part of , a collaborative journalism project that aims to improve reporting on the child "welfare" system. It was first published by . Tell us what you think about the story .
