In 2014, a 4-year-old daughter, granddaughter, and sister, Serenity died after being apprehended by children's services when her Mother reached out for help due to domestic violence. Join a Collective of organizations who are re-imagining how we support families so that all children can thrive within their homes or community.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-...tickets-607613858407
“Parents should be supported so their children can remain with their families and communities. This system is not working for Indigenous people or low-income families. It’s time to change it and parents must be at the center of these changes”. Lynne Marshalsay
Since 2014, more than 600 children have died or been seriously injured while involved with Alberta’s "child welfare" and intervention services, including 4 year old Serenity who died tragically in 2014 at the age of 4 (Office of Child and Youth Advocate Report, 2022). This event is a response to the recent Fatality inquiry report released earlier this year surrounding Serneity's death, where the Judge concluded that Serenity never should have been removed from her Mother's care.
"As the report found, apprehension is a form of violence against the child and mother," the judge said in her report. "In this case, the result of that violence was Serenity's death."
Learn more: https://newsinteractives.cbc.c...vestigation-feature/
This event will feature speakers who are parents and youth who have been impacted by the child welfare system, and community leaders that are engaged in addressing the systemic and structural harms. This event is meant to highlight the experiences of individuals with lived experiences, challenge stereotypes of those involved with the system, address the stress, shame, and stigma that often comes with Children's Services involvement, and address systemic issues that prevent families from accessing the support and resources they need and have a right to.
Speakers:
Lynne Marshalsay, Founder of Preserving Families Group, FASC Board Member
Lynne is a parent and grandparent, fierce advocate, and community leader with lived experience with the child welfare system. She is the founder of Preserving Families, a group for people that have been impacted by the child welfare system. Group members provide support to each other, share advice, educate and advocate for each other. She believes that the current system does not support parents adequately or include parents in decision-making around the care and well-being of their children, and she was to see this change. Her biggest hope is that parent voices are heard, that they feel valued and not judged, and that they are empowered as advocates for their families.
Bernadette Iahtail is a registered Social Worker, advocate, researcher, writer, film producer, and entrepreneur. Co-Founder and Executive Director of Creating Hope Society, a society founded for the survivors of the “Sixties and Seventies Scoop of Aboriginal Children in Care.” Her key passions are to create awareness of Indigenous history, specifically to inform Canadians of the ongoing ripple effects of Residential Schools and the 60s and 70s child welfare scoop. Letting men, women, youth, families and communities know that you have rights and the right to exercise them and pushing the envelope of the CHS Declaration “An Indigenous home for every Indigenous child in care by 2025”. As a professional, her values are “equity, diversity and inclusion.” In her personal life, her values are “respect, trust, honesty, fairness, and she stands up for what is right. Her spiritual life is understanding that everyone wants to be heard, loved and open to finding solutions. Bernadette has a long distinguished record of achievement and has demonstrated herself as an exceptional leader. She is talented, savvy and dedicated to building relationships within the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Kloey Cook: Kloey Cook (Kawanáte) is a strong, proud Kanien’kehá woman and post-secondary student studying Indigenous Community Advocacy and You Co-Lead at Starlings Community. As a child who was involved in the child welfare system and, today, as a youth of two moms who use substances, she is determined to use her strength and healing to break the stigma and shame that can come with parental substance use.
Special Guest: Serenity's Family Member
We are honoured to have a member of Serenity's family join us to share their experiences and hopes for how we support parents so that all children can thrive in their home and community.
Moderator: Rebecca Foshole-Luke
Founder and Executive lead at Family Advocacy Support Centre, Rebecca is a Forensic Social Worker who is passionate about the intersection of social work and the law. Her work is currently focused on systems change within the “child welfare” family policing system and ensuring more equitable outcomes for families. As the lead social worker's journey with parents whose children have been apprehended, she ensures parents know their rights and that organizations are equipped to best support the well-being of families.
Event will be recorded for those who cannot make the live session and a FREE resource guide will be sent prior to the event.
Who is this event for?
Community members and mandated reporters, including social workers, healthcare staff, and educators.
This event is hosted by Family Advocacy Support Centre and Starlings Community, who offer FREE resources and support to youth and parents vulnerable to interventions and family separation.
Our amazing community partners include:
- Creating Hope Society: https://www.creatinghopesociety.ca/
- Preserving Family Alberta Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/936156537121396/
- Reconciliation Action Group: https://www.facebook.com/ReconciliACTgr/
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