News & Events
CFS Director again takes aim at Grand Chiefs' comments
February 1, 2010
(In keeping with SCO's policy of fair comment, SCO is printing both letters submitted by Richard De La Ronde as well as those of Grand Chief Morris Swan Shannacappo)
By Richard De La Ronde BSW, MSW. Executive Director Sandy Bay Child and Family Services
It stings doesn't it...when someone criticizes the work that you do? It is certainly something we can all relate to. When I wrote the article, The Perpetual Journey: SolvingThe Children In Care Riddle, I was concerned about two things and Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo's article How Should We View Developments Within Child Welfare, confirms those concerns.
The first concern was that I was going to offend Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo and it is obvious that I did. It was certainly not my intention and I will publicly apologize for that here and now. I am Sorry. Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo claims my article was an "attack"when in fact it was an act of self defense. Self defense on behalf of all the First Nation and Metis people he offended in his original article, that work tirelessly in the field of Child Welfare. Self defense on behalf of all the First Nation and Metis Social Workers who are tired of having their profession bashed in the Non-Aboriginal Media, and then from their own elected leader in the Aboriginal media. Although Grand Chief Swan Shannacappo claims he did not criticize rank and file workers, it was obvious that he did, based on the hundreds of emails and phone calls I received from Aboriginal social workers thanking me for defending their honour and hard work. Although Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo may not have intended to offend anyone, he did, and just as I have done, should apologize for it.
My second concern was that my article was going to be too strong in "intellectual language" as described by Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo. That is the reason I spent a month writing 5 different drafts, so it would be at a reading level that Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo could understand, but I don't write children's books, I write research books (I sent a signed copy of one of my books to you Morris for your reading pleasure but I'll warn you now, there are no pictures). I provided only a small fraction of the data and statistics in my previous article that is out there that may provide insight into why our children keep coming into care and help us identify meaningful solutions. To simply blame the system and keep repeating we need to use our own system is blue sky fluff. Where is this system that Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo keeps saying we need to implement? Does he have a blueprint for a child welfare service delivery model in his back pocket that's going to save us all? If he does, I will be the first to implement it.
It is true that we are bound by Provincial Legislation and standards that often conflict with traditional values of First Nation and Metis Families and culture. However, policy and legislation is open to interpretation. Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo stated in his last article "that the CFS system has improved a lot". That improvement is a result of policy interpretation by First Nation Agencies that bend policy to the breaking point, to reflect the cultural values of the communities they serve. The system has improved as a result of the hard work of frontline social workers who are tasked with the thankless job of implementing those policies. The system has improved because of the support of Chiefs, such as Chief Russell Beaulieu of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, who supports and encourages his agency, rather than criticizes it (special thank you to Chief Russell Beaulieu, Councilor Lance Roulette, and Councilor Chris Racette, band office staff and the Sandy Bay CFS staff for volunteering at the Sandy Bay Child and Family Services Halloween Fun Night on Oct 28, 2009, where 329 children and families were treated to loads of food, fun and games.)
Grand Chief Swan-Shannacappo, you are a great leader and I respect the drive and determination you have to improve the lives of our Southern First Nations. I actually agree 100% with your article Devolution in Danger. In my previous article, I was merely out to defend the field that many First Nation men and women work steadily in, to improve the lives of our children and families. It's a thankless job where you're criticized for taking children and you're criticized for not taking them. Thank you for agreeing with the data I presented and I hope it adds a new perspective to your current world view of Manitoba's Child Welfare System. I would love to sit down with you over some tea and bannock anytime to discuss possible solutions to our child welfare concerns. Our system is not perfect, but it's getting there, and if you're serious about finding realistic and meaningful solutions, then my knowledge and my experience is at your disposal anytime. Your staff should know where to find me.
Respectfully,
Richard De La Ronde