Tag Archives: Anna McKenzie

Indigenous girls, failed by MCFD, are going missing in the child welfare system

By Anna McKenzie,  The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Days after International Missing Children’s Day, I revisited a recent report issued by the province’s Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) about missing children in government “care.”

Alarmingly, Jennifer Charlesworth’s research suggests that nearly 470 children in care are reported missing to B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) one or more times each month. 

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Community rallies for Carsyn Seaweed, as RCMP apologize for ‘miscommunication’ in her case

By Anna McKenzie,  The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

People gathered outside of an RCMP detachment in Cowichan territories on Friday to demand justice for 15-year-old Carsyn Mackenzie Seaweed, whose sudden passing has rattled the community. 

On May 15, Carsyn was found in “Duncan” in a “semi-conscious state under suspicious circumstances,” according to a statement from police issued Thursday. Family members of Carsyn say she was found covered under pallets, cardboard and twigs. Tragically, Carsyn did not make it.

Continue reading Community rallies for Carsyn Seaweed, as RCMP apologize for ‘miscommunication’ in her case

Indigenous couple fights for the return of their newborn daughter, taken by MCFD

By Anna McKenzie,  The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Every day for more than a month, Sonja Hathaway sat with her newborn baby Amella in the hospital, speaking to the infant in her Dene language. 

Despite the feelings of being watched, Sonja and her husband Philip diligently spent time at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Victoria General Hospital to feed and care for their daughter. 

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Remembering Kuper IslanD Residential School: Thousands march in Chemainus

Warning: This article contains content about residential “schools” that may be triggering. 

By Anna McKenzie,  The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

On the shores of the town of Chemainus, on the traditional territory of Puneluxutth’, thousands of people in orange shirts gather in memory of the survivors, victims and intergenerational survivors of Canada’s residential “school” system

Continue reading Remembering Kuper IslanD Residential School: Thousands march in Chemainus

Telling children about residential schools

By Anna McKenzie,  The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

This article contains content about residential schools that may be triggering. Support for survivors and their families is available. Call the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066, 1-866-925-4419 for the 24-7 crisis line. The KUU-US Crisis Line Society also offers 24-7 support at 250-723-4050 for adults, 250-723-2040 for youth, or toll free at 1-800-588-8717.

In the aftermath of the shocking news of 215 children’s bodies being discovered in a mass burial site at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, IndigiNews spoke with educators to gather resources on how to engage with children and youth.

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