Government systems blame families for their poverty

Taking action to address the number of First Nations children living in poverty has been a constant battle with both the provincial and federal governments for British Columbia’s youth advocate.

“I’ve had a series of in-depth investigative reports over the years that have looked at the impact of poverty on children and families, especially First Nations children and families, and I found consistent systemic problems that give rise to child welfare issues,” said Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, who has served as B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth since 2006.

She cites a case in which a child was severely abused after being taken into government care because his family could not afford housing. Unfortunately, these stories are far too common. Instead of parents being provided with support to handle situations that are beyond their control, such as low income, unstable housing, poor food, limited transportation, children are apprehended.

Turpel-Lafond says that one of her concerns is how poverty is reported. It does not include First Nations communities, so ignores the conditions of the 200 First Nation reserves in the province, many of which struggle with economic deprivation. Since Statistics Canada does not collect from First Nations, Aboriginal poverty is underrepresented.

“So the data Öshows a more rosy picture than is the case for family poverty, particularly on reserve,” she said.

The last reliable statistics that are available come from the 2006 long form census. While data was collected in 2011 through the National Household Survey, the questions and responses were limited.

According to 2006 figures, 48 per cent of First Nations children live in poverty in B.C. and 28 per cent of Aboriginal children live in poverty in B.C.

“We have no information to say it’s gotten better or worse,” said Adrienne Montani, provincial coordinator with First Call BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, which released a 2015 child poverty report using figures from both 2006 and 2013. The 2013 tax filing data shows that one in five B.C. children is growing up in poverty.

“There are certain groups that are over-represented in child poverty stats; Aboriginal families being one of those,” said Montani. “It’s unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable and that it’s been able to go on for so long.”

Poverty has a huge impact on First Nations children, who are already leading lives “with multiple shocks,” such as racism, poor educational outcomes, and poor access to health care, says Turpel-Lafond.

“As a result they tend then to become involved in systems that can be more coercive and in many cases more harmful than helpful,” she said.

Among the systems Turpel-Lafond classifies as harmful are child welfare and the justice system.

“There have been very punishing social policies that deprive children of, for instance, a strong supportive family environment,” she said.

Just because a family lives in poverty does not mean a parent or grandparent cannot impart love and caring and that a community cannot respond effectively, she says.

“I’m not saying leave children in poverty, but there are protective factors you need to look for and you need to build on those. You may not be able to erase all the poverty, but you can build good parental warmth and good supportive systems for children,” said Turpel-Lafond.

But instead, the system judges, casts blames and criticizes Aboriginal families for their poverty, she says.

“(That) is extremely corrosive and I think that has often been the underpinnings of child welfare and justice system approaches that have caused more harm to children,” said Turpel-Lafond.

But still, she “remain(s) optimistic” that changes will come about, given the new federal government and Trudeau’s desire for a renewed partnership with First Nations.

For Montani, hope comes in the form of the work undertaken by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She admits that all of the recommendations in the First Call report – increased funding for child welfare, housing and education, and development of a long-term plan to eradicate poverty – are repeated from previous years.

“Perhaps we can take some wind in our sails from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in making that happen,” she said. But, she adds, awareness created by the TRC needs to be accompanied by public pressure from grassroots and advocacy groups.