Lost Indigenous Youth: Unraveling the Fate of Vanished Native American Minors
Digging Deep: Unraveling the Mystery of 209 Missing Indigenous Children in Quebec
Let's dive into the what, who, and why behind thevanished Indigenous children in Quebec.
Who are these Children?
The investigation currently surrounds 209 children, predominantly from Attikamek (99), Innue (49), and Anichinabée (44) communities. The timeline stretches from 1930 to 1992, with the most cases reported between 1950 and 1979. Most of these children were newborns or aged between 1 and 5 years old. Preliminary findings suggest that at least 185 children who are the subject of investigation died in a Quebec health facility, with 120 of them having known causes of death, such as respiratory illnesses, infections, infectious diseases, and digestive system diseases.
Why Did They Disappear?
A recurring pattern was apparent: an Indigenous child fell ill and was sent to the hospital without the parents' knowledge or accompaniment. Often, the parents were left uninformed, and the child never returned. Research has yielded some insights into the burial procedures of these children. The majority (68%) were buried in the city where they died. Roughly 12% of the children were repatriated to their community only posthumously. However, the records often provide vague or inconsistent burial dates. The child was usually buried in the local cemetery. The Family Support Directorate has been able to locate the burial site for most children whose city of death is known, or they have obtained a lot or grave number. In some cases, the exact burial location remains unknown.
Exhumations: Seeking the Truth
Since the passing of Bill 79, Quebec has carried out three exhumations, including one in La Tuque. The other two cases took place in the Innue community of Pessamit, on the North Shore. The family was confirmed of the child's identity in one case, whereas analyses are ongoing in the second. Families seeking the truth go as far as exhumation to confirm that the buried child is indeed their own. For others, simply knowing the location of their child's remains is sufficient. Exhumation requests can be complex due to shared burial lots in certain Quebec cemeteries, such as Montreal, La Tuque, Amos, and Quebec City. As of February 28, a new request for authorization to exhume has been submitted to the Superior Court, with three more families taking steps in this direction.
Bill 79: Giving Families a Voice
In effect since September 2021, Bill 79 lets families of Indigenous children file an official search request with the Family Support Office, which assists families in their quest for answers. The organization Awacak - Little Beacons of Light serves as a bridge, visiting various regions to raise awareness about the law and its benefits. Bill 79 applies to healthcare facilities, organizations, or religious congregations. It doesn't cover Indigenous residential schools, except when a student died upon admission to the hospital. Bill 79 also empowers Quebec to investigate if anyone refuses to provide information that may illuminate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance or death of a child. The law covers the period before December 31, 1992.
Historical and Cultural Context
Understanding the broader circumstances requires delving into historical and cultural contexts. The period from 1930 to 1992 coincides with the operation of residential schools in Canada, including Quebec. Indigenous communities faced challenges in health care, living conditions, and social services, contributing to vulnerable situations for children. Furthermore, this era is marked by policies of cultural genocide, suppressing Indigenous languages, cultures, and identities. Recent initiatives like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada have documented abuses and high mortality rates in residential schools. However, specific incidents involving the Attikamek, Innue, and Anichinabée communities would require targeted research.
Investigating the Missing Children
To learn more about the missing children in these communities during the specified period, it's essential to consult historical records, community reports, and focused studies or investigations on these regions. The provided search results do not contain detailed information about specific cases. Relevant records or studies might be found in local archives, historical documents, or organizations dedicated to Indigenous rights and history in Quebec. The Canadian government and local Indigenous organizations may have carried out investigations into these incidents as well, but without accessible records, it's challenging to outline the precise circumstances surrounding these events.
The science of archaeology and historical analysis may provide substantial insights, shedding light on the circumstances of the 209 missing Indigenous children. This form of medical-health and wellness investigation, coupled with bill 79's assistance, can potentially uncover hidden truths about the children who went missing. The analysis of historical records, community reports, and studies dedicated to Indigenous rights and health in Quebec, as well as digging into the cultural and historical context of the time, will be crucial in understanding the mystery surrounding these children.
