Foster child seeks real family

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Perry has been looking for his real mother for over a year now.

The 20-year old Metis was given up for adoption when he was only three months old. What is known about his real family is vague, but Perry says that he, along with a friend and member of Parent Finders, Ray Ensminger, will not give up the search until something is learned about his family.

It is known that Perry's mother was born in Alberta in about 1945, is Metis and was a single parent. She is Roman Catholic and worked for a time as a waitress. She is described in a report from Alberta Social Services and Community Health, as being a well-groomed girl with a round shaped face. The record also indicates that Perry's mother had a son born in 1964 and a daughter born in 1965 who remained in her care.

Perry was born in the University of Alberta Hospital on October 29, 1966. He was adopted shortly after, but when his adopted mother suddenly died his "father" felt he could not take care of Perry and he was sent to a group home near Fort Saskatchewan. Perry was then three and a half years old.

He was raised in the group home for nine years and when he turned 13, he was placed in a foster home in Edmonton where he remained until he was 18. Since 1984, he has been on his own.

"I think it is time I knew who my mother, sister and brother are. For almost 20 years it didn't bother me, but now I would like to know," Perry says, pointing out his given name is Darryl Raymond and his surname is unknown.

Perry and Ensminger came to Windspeaker so that the many Native people who read the paper might help him find his mother.

"I put an ad in Windspeaker for anyone having information regarding Andrew Belcourt to phone me and eventually his mother called and they had a reunion," says Ensminger, indicating the media sometimes plays an important role in helping families get back together.

Ensminger adds that Perry has handled his life very well and that his only wish now is to get to know his real family.

AT present Perry works for Mcdonalds Restaurant in Edmonton. "I am just about finished my schooling. I hope to have a diploma soon," he says, smiling.

Perry's dream is to someday join the armed forces, possibly the air force, but "education and finding my real family is the most important thing in my life right now."

If you have any information that might help Perry in his search for his family, please call Ray Ensminger at 466-3335.