The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, September 5, 2001 - A3 Cultural sensitivity sought for aboriginal children By JENNIFER LANG A YOUTH and family ad- vocate has asked the pro- vincial government to treat ‘aboriginal children in its care with more cultural sensitivily, Brian Grant has submit- ted a proposal to the Child and Pamily Development ministry that calls for changes to the act gavern- ing children in government and foster care. Aboriginal children make up nearly 70 per cent of the children in foster care in B.C.’s north, a number that’s many times higher than the pro- vincial average. “My main concern is to get these kids to partici- - pate in Grant said. - Although the Child and Family Community Ser- vices Act does contain provisions guaranteeing children from different eth- nic backgrounds are trea- ted fairly, Grant would like to see specific measures for aboriginal children. “The act right now under cultural heritage is very unproductive,” he said, “It’s not working.” As a child and youth advocate in Terrace, a role that means Grant talks to all parties involved — so- cial workers, children and family members ~ to find solutions when there’s conflict. He said parents say they’ve had trouble getting permission to have their children in care attend weddings, feasts and other social events that bind aboriginal communities to- gether, and offer vital links to culture and heritage. “T hear from a percent- age of children who come forward and say, ‘I haven't their culture,” - been to a cultural event in years. I don’t know what a feast is. I don’t know what it’s for.”” Grant ciled a recent ex- ample where a birth parent TM40 ADVOCATE BRIAN Grant and colleague Annette Smith are involved in a potluck and rally this fall outlin- ing the particular cultural needs of aboriginal children now in government foster care. They say aboriginal children are too often left without ways and means of involving themselves in specific cultural pursuits. And they say solutions must also involve band councils and relatives. News In Brief wanted to ensure a child in foster care would be able to perform at a tribal con- ference as part of a cultur- al dance group. At first the child in question wasn’t allowed to go. “The social worker said, ‘It’s just a conference.” Grant's of- fice was able to obtain permission, but the need for negotiation was clearly frustrating. As well, First Nations adults who were apprehen- ded or fostered as children are now coming forward saying they want to see the system change. “Some families inter- pret it as another form of residential school,” Grant said. “They’re angry at the system for not recognizing ar understanding.” Ride High You'll find highmarks to be set, mountainsides to be boondocked, & sights to be seen. ‘Our Mountain Cats are up to the Challenge Viountain Cat 800 EFI New care-inducted with They're Herein Mountain Cats Grant said health rea- sons prevent parents from passing along traditional foods like salmon, moose or deer meat, to their children in care because they’re noi store bought. “IT think that’s one of the areas that needs to be looked at, ensuring their traditional food are sup- plied to them.” He said parents — and the child's relatives - also need ta be aware of their tights and responsibilities under the act. He pointed out parents can visit with their child- ren on supervised outings approved family members. Grant urged more fami- ‘lies to take advantage of this, “We'd like to have more participation from fa- Our sShOWrO0M.. Introducing the New 2002 mily members to visit their nieces and nephews and grand children in care.” He'd also like to see local band councils ad- dress housing needs. Inadequate housing is often a hindrance to abori- ginal people who want to become foster parents, he said. Looking ahead to the future, he’s confident that as local First Nations cammunities gain more control over child welfare services, things will im- prove. But interim steps are urgently needed, he said. “I'm worried about today. It's today’s children I’m looking out for.” Grant's office and the First Nations Council of Women have teamed up also looking at creating a for an upcoming potluck recognizing aboriginal children in care that will be held in the fall. More than 100 children — and adults who were raised in government or foster care as children — attended last year’s event, the first of its kind in Ter- race. There will also be a rally to highlight the issue. The two agencies are youth in care network to provide an advocacy centre for youth aged 9 to 18, especially those who are prone to run away from group homes, 9 >> “Phese children are: vulnerable to anything, even in this community,” said Grant. She’s on the road A 62-YEAR-OLD Hazelton area resident is passing through Terrace this week on a walk from Prince Rupert to Prince George to raise money for an ap- peal of a native residential school court case. Martha Joseph was the only woman among 32 people who filed suit against the federal govern- ment and the United Church stemming from their Stay years ago at the Port Alberni Residential School. Her case was turned down this past July because the court ruled it was too old to process, says a press release from the Provincial Residential School Project, an agency set up to help those who filed suits and who have received settlements. Joseph was five years old when she was sent away and she spent nearly 13 years at the Port Al- berni school, Since the original suits were filed in 1995, 25 of the 32 cases have been settled. Joseph began her walk, Sept. 1 from Prince Ru- perl and will spend one rest day in Terrace, She's due in Prince George Oct. 6, making far a total of 37 days on the road, Won't get extra pay SKEENA B.C. LIBERAL MLA Roger Harris isn’t included in a batch of government MLAs getting more money because they chair specific govern- ment member caucuses. Harris is the chair of the northern caucus of Lib- eral MLAs but it doesn’t have official standing such as other caucuses on health, government Operations, natural resources, communities and safety and the economy. The chairs of those caucuses ate each getting an additional $6,000 a year in addition to their regular pay and expense allowances. And while Harris is chair of the northern caucus, he’s also been named to the legislative standing committee on health. These are official commit- tees of the legislature as opposed to the other com- mittees made up of government MLAs only. Careless cyclist A 26-year-old Terrace man bas been charged with careless cycling after an Aug, 7 accident at an in- tersection involving a mator vehicle. The man was allegedly nan ng a 10-speed bicycle down Lazelle Ave. shortly before 3 p.m. that day when he went through an intersection without slowing down or stopping, The man hit the side of a northbound vehicle, said police. The man was treated for minor injuries. On schedule NEW CLASSROOMS for Cassie Hall and Kiti K’Shan are on schedule for completion in January. Cassie Hall's playground . was Moved to make ~ way. for a 448-square meétré addition and Kiti K’Shan is getting a two-storey addition, says the school district's Robert Gilfillan. r LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET IN SHAPE THIS FALL? JOIN US AT TERRACE PARKS AND RECREATION. _Fitness Schedule for September 5" ~ December 14", 2001 ; Monday.” | Tuesday. |: Wednesday: }-Thursday: {> “Friday. 9: 0am Just Step Circuit Step wah (Carol) {Carol) (Carol) ah 15am. : Punch Power a (Kim) Stretch (Kim) 5: 30pm Just Step Just Step ~ 2 (Donna) (T.B.A.) g cpm Circuit . Training (Donna) é apm Cardio Blast (Donna) Q Alt classes are held in the Terrace Arena Banquet Room a Free Childminding for the 9:00am and 9:15am Fitness Classes a Until September 22, 2001 Receive 5% off the cost of Fitness Strip Tickets and 10% off the registration costs Mukuni Big 806 800 models Flat Slide Lightwelght : Carbs Twin Mountain ARCTICCAT What Snowmobiling’ All About.” batteryless electronic fuel Injection * All the great benefits and features of our Standard Cat 570 7FOh Fan cooled twin 136 Inch Iong track 1 1/2 lugs Fall 2001 Swim Schedule MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY _ FRIDAY SATURDAY _ SUNDAY Earlybird Earlybird Earlybird Earlybird Earlybird Building opens ut Building opens at 6:30un-9:00am 7:30am-9;00an 6:30am-9:00am 7:30am-9. 00am 6:30am-9:00ai0 7:30am “Ph30am Aquafit Rentuls Aguafit Remals Aquafit 9:00ain- 10:00am 9:00am-10:00am 9:00arn- 10:00am 9:00am-10:00am 9:00am-10:00an Nifty 50's Lessons Nifly 50's Lessons Nifty 50's Lessons 10:00am-1 1:00am 10:00arn-11:30am 10.00am-1 1:00am 10:00am-1 1:30am 10:00um-1 1:00am 9.00am- 11:30am Preschool Playtime Preschool Playtime Preschool Playtime 11:00um-1:00pm 11.00am-1:00pm 411:00um-1:00pm NOON HOUR LENGTHS 11:45am 1:00pra Rentals Rentals Rentals Rentals Rentals Fainily Swim Family Swim 100pin-6:30pm L00pm-5:00pi 1,00pm-3.00pm. L00pm-5:00pm 1.00pm-3:00am 1:00pmn- 2:30prn 1:00pm- 2:30pi Everyone Welcome Everyone Welcoine Lessons Lessons 2:30pm + 5:00pm 2:30pin - 5:00pm Lessons 3:00pm-f:30pin Lessons. 3:00pm-&:30pm Rentals Rentals $:00pm-7:00om §:00pm-7:009m 4.00pin-G:30pmn 5.00pm-6.30pm, Everyone Welcome Family Swim Everyone Welcome Family Swim Everyone Welcome Everyone Welcome Everyone Welcome 6:30pm - 8:00pm 7:00pm-8:00pm 6:20pm - 8 00pm 7:00pm-8:00pin 6:30pm - 8:00pm G:30pin - 8:00pm 6:30pin - 8:00pin Adult Lessons Aquafit Aquatit Aquufit I Letig at Rentals 3 oe 9: SL 8: oe 9:00pm : ae TRS PETS i Free Teen Swim 9:00pni-11:00pm Call the City of Terrace Parks and Recreation Office at 250-615-3000 for information on any of our programs In the Fall 2001 Leisure Guide.