Reconnecting children in care and those living away from community with their families continues to be a priority for many Nations. Between navigating geographic barriers, communication between multiple parties, and scheduling conflicts this is a task that can prove quite the challenge, to say the least.

As shared by Travis Crowther, a Band Designated Representative for Nee Tahi Buhn, community events and culture camps are proving to be catalysts for sparking reconnection to the land, community and family.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Travis and his family made the decision to move to British Columbia with hopes to reconnect with his wife and son’s community and culture. Since beginning his work with Nee Tahi Buhn, a primary focus for Travis has been helping children reconnect with the community.

Can you explain the work you have been doing to reconnect kids with their community?

Whenever there are special events like culture camp and events where we want to include the entire community, we send out an email and post on Facebook. We ask anyone with children or low-income families who would like to attend to contact us at the office so we can arrange travel and accommodations.

I reach out to all the foster parents to make sure they are invited and receive the same supports from the Nation. I have also mailed and delivered the Wet’suwet’en dictionary to all head of households – this includes making sure children in care receive a copy, too.

Additionally, I attend all 90-day visits and anything that involves the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). This allows me to mention cultural events or activities on the territories to the foster parents directly. I find that anything I mention at these meetings is usually put on the record, so they know that the opportunities are there for the foster family to participate in.

Why do you feel reconnecting children with their home community is important? And how does this impact the greater community?

It’s important to bring children to their home[OB1]  community and to these big events because they have an opportunity to meet family. And very often, they are meeting family for the first time. I think this experience plants the seed for these children to one day bring their own family to the territories and carry on the tradition.

We had two foster parents and their child come out from Vancouver, and a low-income mother and her two kids join us from Edmonton. One of the families have come out twice now, and both times they’ve really enjoyed riding horses. You can tell just by watching them that they’ve gotten better. Another one of the foster parents learned how to cook bannock while they were here this year, and last time they learned some songs on the drum. Activities like this can’t always happen in an urban environment.

Reconnecting these kids with their families is important for the community because it reminds them why we are doing all this work in the first place: for the next generation. The relationships formed at these cultural events might last a lifetime.

What has been the most rewarding part of this work?

The most rewarding part is spending time with the children. I get called “Uncle Travis” a lot and it melts my heart. When I explain to a child, “Hey that’s your aunt,” or “That’s your grandpa,” and they meet them and hug them for the first time, you can’t really replace that feeling you get.

The parents always tell me that the children are already planning for next year’s culture camp right after the current one just finished. Last year we had 40 people come out, and this year we had 70. It’s become something families really look forward to.

What advice would you give to other Nations who are working to reconnect children with their community? 

Make sure leadership is on board and that they know the importance of doing this. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask for help. I always ask for help! I wouldn’t be able to do my job if it wasn’t for all the amazing people that always pick up the phone and answer my questions.

Working with people and with vulnerable populations can be difficult sometimes. Don’t take anything personal or let anything negative discourage you. Find someone you can debrief with and talk to, preferably someone in the same role.

Band Designated Representatives are the experts of their community, and their passion and dedication for bringing children home is at the heart of good practice. CSFS provides Band Designated Representatives with training and regular check-ins to help connect reps to a network of peers. Contact Joan Conlon at (250) 562-3591 or jconlon@csfs.org for more information.