When most people walk, it carries little meaning for their lives. But for Kim and Jordan Joseph, their walk is deeply personal.
The couple is walking from Prince Rupert to British Columbia’s Parliament in Victoria, raising awareness about children in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Their four children are currently in foster homes, and the Indigenous couple allege their access to them has been unduly restricted despite adhering to ministry conditions.
They reached Whistler Oct. 16 and spoke with Pique by phone as they took a rest break at Green Lake.
The couple said their kids were taken this spring, and only one was placed in a home with Indigenous culture. Two are in Prince Rupert, one is in Vanderhoof, and another is in Prince George.
The emotional drain of being away from their children is coupled with the strain of travelling long distances for visitations.
“The trip we’re doing this weekend is 16-and-a-half hours driving to go see them,” Kim explained.
‘We can’t show emotion’
Between walking from place to place, the Josephs are also driving back and forth to spend time with their children when given access by MCFD. This past weekend after their journey into Whistler, they drove to Prince Rupert and Vanderhoof.
When they do get visits, Kim said they’re promised two days and each time the visits are cut down to one or the duration is shortened, and they’re told there aren’t supervisors available.
“It's very stressful because we can't show emotion … It's really difficult to try and sit there with a smile as they're telling you can't see your children,” Kim said.
“They say their goal is to keep families together, and to keep children connected to families, and we have not seen that. They promise us more visits, then they're cutting the visits down the day before the weekend starts,” she added.
“It’s just heartbreaking right now, and it's really hard to try and keep telling them, ‘OK,’ like they're really waiting for us to fail and we're not going to, because we want our children home."
The couple said their children were taken away after Jordan’s councillor reported him to MCFD while he was grieving the loss of his grandfather, alleging he was "aggressive" during a home visit. Jordan asserted his councillor’s job was to help him process the loss, and instead, he caused harm.
Pique reached out to Grace Lore, Minister for Children and Family Development for comment on the Josephs' case, but because of the provincial election and interregnum period, government communication is suspended.
Only one of the Joseph children has cultural care, being placed in a home through Nezul Be Hunuyeh Child & Family Services Society in Prince George.
While Bill C92: An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, in theory gives responsibility back to Indigenous communities to provide cultural care for children, in practice many children are still placed in homes without cultural connection.
Census data from 2021 shows Indigenous children are vastly over-represented in the child welfare system. Less than eight per cent of children in Canada under 14 are Indigenous, yet 53.8 per cent of children up to 14 years old in foster care are Indigenous.
The Josephs want people to understand the injustice of the system and that truth and reconciliation are more than just empty words.
“We want the truth and reconciliation to be shown and put into action," Kim said. "That's what we're hoping for."
They’re drafting a letter to submit to Parliament in early November, and will post it on their Facebook group, WALKING FOR ALL CHILDREN IN MINISTRY CARE.
The group is highly active, with the couple and their supporters posting videos and photos as they travel through the province.
Walking despite the pain
After their first journey walking from Prince Rupert to Prince George, they’ve tried to take more frequent breaks. Jordan’s legs and feet were pushed to the breaking point for the first portion, his feet bleeding and blistered.
“His tendons and muscles were on the brink of permanent damage, the doctors said, so we had to rest and slow down,” Kim said.
On their journey, various First Nations have offered support and walked alongside them.
“They walked us through Cache Creek turnoff to Lillooet and then to Seton Portage. And then we went up Highline Road to D’Arcy, through Mount Currie, Pemberton and then Whistler,” Kim said.
While in Whistler, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) welcomed the couple, sharing a hot meal and giving them gifts for their travels, according to Nadija Veach, marketing manager for the SLCC.
Their companions have shared stories which were “similar or worse” to the Josephs' experience, heartbreaking tales that encourage the couple to keep fighting for changes to the child welfare system.
“They helped us through their territory. It was really amazing to see that and to see the territory and be with the people for our walk," Kim said. "It's amazing to see how many of the Nations have come together and support us."
To learn more about why they are walking or send support, readers can email them at [email protected].
