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But first, a court process had to deem them neglected or abandoned. Courts required proof. Courts wanted to know what was being done to avoid apprehension, what alternatives existed. When all else failed, children were made temporary wards of the Crown with the goal of reuniting them with families quickly as possible. If that failed, another court process was needed to make the children permanent wards of the Crown. Again, proof had to be presented asserting there were no options: no relatives; no siblings; no possible placement back with parents. Most of the time, the cause was booze.

I never ran across a parent who said, “I hate my kids. You keep ‘em.” I recall them all saying they loved their children. They wanted their children home. But booze had become the master.

We tried very hard to work within community structures: chiefs, councillors, band staff, families. Because the parents were problem drinkers who fought with everyone, folks were reluctant to offer support for the children, let alone the parents. Heard over and over was “We don’t want to get involved!”

Yes, I scooped children. Here is why:

• Received word some parents hadn’t been seen in several days. Go to the house. No heat. No firewood. What little food is frozen. Crying baby on the floor. Her wet diaper is frozen to the floor.

• Police insist I accompany them at 3 a.m. to rural area. Arrived to find drunken orgy with children under 10 present.

• -35C. Make patrol down alley behind beer parlours and find two carloads of children in vehicles. Windows frosted over inside. Children are cold and hungry. Not the first time I found this situation. Step into the bar and hear, “Oh, oh, it’s the welfare.”