Help needed to argue young mother's case

Page 5

Dear Editor:

I am from White Bear First Nation in Carlyle, Sask. I am 16 years old. I am asking for help. My baby was born in November 1997 at Kelowna General Hospital. She was "removed" by the Ministry for Children and Families on Nov. 27, 1997 at approximately 3 p.m. They had asked me to bring her to the hospital nursery, but I had told them no, because I knew what they were going to do. They were going to remove my baby. I asked them if they were, but they denied that they were going to take her. Meanwhile, she was only 20 days old. They did not give me a chance to bring her home, which would have been my best wish if my baby was to come home and live with her own family and learn her own culture.

What I am asking for is funding to get a lawyer, an Aboriginal female lawyer, that will understand what I am going through.

Ever since my baby was taken, I have tried to do everything that the Ministry for Children and Families has asked me to do. I have taken parenting courses, counseling, first aid instruction, and I am a regular volunteer at my local friendship centre.

It's been a long time since I last saw my baby. It seems like forever. Last time I saw her was on Dec. 17, 1998. Right now I am going to try to get an access order, but the Ministry for Children and Families is trying not to let me see her. The ministry has decided that they are going to adopt her out.

I need a lawyer who knows the Indian Act. So please, someone come forward soon. I love my baby and I need all the help I can get to get my baby back home. Right now I am trying to get her registered with my band, but they need the father to sign, but he is not First Nations. They will not register until he signs and he refuses. He has not been involved in my baby's life, and we are no longer together.

Sincerely

Jennifer (last name withheld)

If you can help Jennifer, call (250) 763-4905 and leave a message.