About the video
Through our Child Welfare Advocacy Communities of Practice project, West Coast LEAF has been working with community to transform public attitudes, a necessity if we hope to transform harmful, colonial systems.
In an effort to shift culture, we created the short documentary Kids Are Only Kids Once in collaboration with parents with firsthand knowledge of the family policing system, as well as other advocates. We thank them for speaking out about the devastating impacts of family separation on children, families, Nations, and communities, and for sharing their vision for change. We believe that their powerful voices will increase viewers’ understanding and inspire them to action.
From the bottom of our hearts, we also thank filmmakers Alysha Collie and Dallas Yellowfly of 3 Crows Productions. Their outstanding generosity, commitment, passion, and brilliance made this film possible.
Content note: This video discusses child apprehensions, residential schools, trauma, colonialism, and discrimination against people who use substances.
Emotional and legal support
West Coast LEAF is not a legal clinic. We do not offer legal advice, direct services, advocacy, or representation for individuals. Below are support resources in BC.
Toll-free phone: 1-800-588-8717
24/7 crisis support and listening for Indigenous peoples in BC.
Toll-free phone: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
24/7 crisis support for people anywhere in BC, with interpretation available in more than 140 languages.
- Parents Legal Centres (Legal Aid)
Toll-free phone: 1-866-577-2525
If the child welfare system has made contact with your family, you can call Parents Legal Centres to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer and an advocate. Parents Legal Centres may be able to provide legal help and representation, advocacy, and referrals.
Legal services for Indigenous people, focused on criminal law and child protection. In-person services in Merritt, Prince Rupert, and Prince George. Virtual services for the rest of BC. To qualify for virtual services, people must not be eligible for legal aid or must have exhausted legal aid.
Take action
- Share the Kids Are Only Kids Once video in your community and on social media
- Participate in the campaign challenging the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s culture of risk and surveillance
- Speak out in your community to challenge stigma and the unjust blaming of families who are dealing with the family policing system
- Call on the government to address systemic problems like poverty and racism
Share feedback
We encourage you to fill out our online feedback form if you have any questions or comments about Kids Are Only Kids Once. We value learning from our community.
Acknowledgements
Our sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the development of this documentary.
Video Production
Alysha Collie, Soowahlie First Nation
Dallas Yellowfly, Siksika First Nation
Interviewees
Blue Thunderbird Woman (Heather Spence), Treaty 1 Territory
Indigenous Coordinator, PACK (Parents Advocating Collectively for Kin)
Indigenous Peer Expert/Co-Creator, KANDU (Knowledging All Nations and Developing Unity)
Katt Cadieux, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Executive Director/Founder
UNDU (Uniting Northern Drug Users UNDU’ing Stigma)
Keri Guelke
Administrator/Respite Worker
PACK (Parents Advocating Collectively for Kin)
Patricia Dawn, Metis/Nehiyawewin Ancestry
Guest on the traditional territories of the Hul’qumi’num-speaking Peoples
Advocate
Mitakuye Oyasin (All My Relations)
Raji Mangat
Executive Director
West Coast LEAF
Willow Morgan
President, BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors
Founding Member, Wild Women of the North Society
Music
Children’s Blessing Song
Written by Sherryl Sewepagaham, Cree-Dene from Little Red River Cree Nation
Women’s Warrior Song
Used with permission of Elder Martina Pierre, Lil’wat First Nation
Vocals
Car Andres, q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation
Deanna Miller, q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation
Graphics
Legal volunteers
Agnes Huang
Nancy Brar
Special thanks
Breezie Meeches, Long Plain First Nation
Jade Spence, Sandy Bay First Nation
Jaycee Spence, Long Plain First Nation
Jordi Meeches, Long Plain First Nation
The Josephy Family
Joshua Pelletier
Keifer Spence, Long Plain First Nation
Kezley
Kori Smith, Long Plain First Nation
Nico
Nova
Roberts Roost Resort Quesnel
Sekani
Sydney Spence, Sandy Bay First Nation
Trinity Mcleod
True Giesinger
Tyra Spence, Sandy Bay First Nation
Zaeden
Others who chose not to be named
This film was made possible by generous funding from the Law Foundation of BC.
