Allie hears that she needs to take action if a social worker is investigating her children.
If you find yourself in this position, you can get help from these resources:
Parents Legal Centre
This centre offers services to parents at any stage of a child protection matter.
Parents' Rights, Kids' Rights
Explains what happens if the ministry has concerns about your child's safety or plans to remove your child from your home.
Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC website
Find resources about the child protection process for Aboriginal children and families, and your rights.
Transcript:
Panel 1: Bea standing and Allie slouched on a picnic bench, on a break from work
Bea: You look so tired, Allie.
Allie: Yeah… Late night.
Panel 2: Bea sits will Allie, pulls out cigarettes from her purse
Bea: You were going to cut back on that stuff, kiddo. And not leave your kids alone anymore.
Allie: I know – but I got stressed from the visit.
Panel 3: Bea lighting her cigarette
Bea: What visit?
Allie: A social worker showed up from nowhere. She started asking a lot of questions about me and the kids.
Panel 4: Bea looking worried
Bea: What did you say?
Allie: That everything was okay but I had a bad feeling about it.
Panel 5: Bea looking firmly at Allie
Bea: Allie, the minute a worker visits, it means the ministry has you on their radar. You could lose your kids. You’ve got to act fast.
Panel 6: Allie sitting with her head in her hands, Bea smoking, hummingbird fluttering over top of them
Allie: How?
Bea: Call legal aid. You should be able to get a free lawyer.
Panel 7:
Allie: But aren’t they government too?
Bea: They’re not the ministry – their job’s to take your side and help you if things start heating up.
Panel 8: Bea reaching out to touch Allie's arm
Bea: They can help you connect with someone from the band, and maybe an advocate, even a mediator.
Panel 9: Aerial view of Bea and Allie sitting on bench, behind “Swift Pharmacy”
Bea: That way you’ve got help if you have to work with the ministry to plan what’s best for the kids – and for you.
Panel 10: Close-up of Allie
Bea: You’ve been saying a long time that you want to clean up your act.
Allie: I really love my kids, Bea.
Panel 11: Bea putting out her cigarette in ashtray
Bea: I know you do, Allie. But it’s up to you now to keep your family together. And you can do it. I know it!
Panel 12: Bea holding her cellphone as Allie looks on
Allie: Thanks for the support, Bea.
Bea: Well, that’s the first step – knowing you need support. Let’s call legal aid right now.