Affidavit of Michael Bear - Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry

where they are located. In her view, bringing them to the city may help
financially and expose them to better resources, it also places them in an
unfamiliar territory, without family and without protection from the social
problems of the city. The problem of over-representation of aboriginals in
crime, running away, street culture (drugs and prostitutes) are evidence of
the difficulties being faced by Tracia.
[130] Ms Lister confirms the approach of Project Neecheewam but knowing
the hope Tracia placed in reuniting her family, Ms Lister was not surprised
that the family's reaction, their denial and their lack of support could be the
precipitating factor in Tracia's spiralling downfall. Despondent by this
reaction, needing to belong (street culture — prostitutes) and drug taking
resulted in Tracia's death.
[131]Ms Lister concluded that keeping kids in the community, a
community with resources, and to provide support to the family is the longterm
answer. Parallel with this, obviously, is the need for the necessary
community development — economic, housing, education, training — to make
the community well so it can raise a healthy child.
[132] Fortunately significant changes have been in the works on how
Southeast Child and Family Services does business. Many have been the
result of assignment of staff, etc. as of June, 2005 — supervisor, staff,
program manager, community supervisors and staff, quality assurance
position, financial unit, child abuse workers, support worker co-ordinator,
educational coordinator, drivers, foster care department, staff to input the
data base and the Child k Family Services Information System. Also more
accountability structures are in place — annual reviews, 90 day review.
Phases of case management are followed — intake, assessment, planning,
review, transfer, closing and evaluation.
[133] Although those changes are steps in the right direction, they have been
largely made because of the provincial government funding. In the longterm
the community has to be made healthy by attacking problems of
infrastructure and the basic needs of life — food, clothing and shelter. Unless
these areas are dealt with the result of poverty and neglect will continue to
be crime, violence, abuse, neglect, substance abuse, suicide and the children
will bear the brunt of these problems. These areas fall within the mandate of
the federal government and all evidence indicates they are falling short in
their financial support to rescue these communities. Testimony was given
that the federal government's funding is based on population where the
provincial government is based on need. It is obvious from this funding
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