Child protection officials threaten Inuit in Ottawa

I am not sure to whom to direct the matter of the Child Advocacy Society in Ottawa should be addressed.

They are having one of the biggest impacts on Inuit and their children who are living in urban centres.

On the whole, their policies and directives are fine, but the continuing and long-lasting effect their powers have on Inuit and their children is damaging. Maybe even their intent on an individual basis is also fine, but with anyone, I don’t care who it is, absolute power corrupts even with the right reasons.

They can and do walk into any home and just take the children without checking out the personality and intent of the “town crier.” The ones who call to complain may be, and often are, discontented, angry and vengeful ex-partners out to get at their target.

Other cases are superficial, such as a VON nurse (Victorian Order of Nurses) who knows very little, or nothing about Inuit culture. They are able to shadow and spy on a young mother, who is probably doing her very best to care for her children. The result will get on a first-time mother’s nerves and feed their fears.

Instead of finding ways to help the new parents, they threaten and drive fear into them. Instead of building skills, they play on fear.

More than one southern family has learned the hard way about what Inuit are able to feed their children with and at what age.

Based upon the above examples, I need to know what organizations and where are the mother’s advocates?

I do know that CAS institutions are provincially empowered, but I honestly believe the above problem is cultural genocide because I notice that Inuit are one race they are targeting. Can we start to get help somewhere?

Ruby Angutirataq
Ottawa