‘My name is Beatrice and I am from Muskowekwan First Nations in Saskatchewan, Canada. I am a mother of eight children and a Kukom (grandmother) to seven grandchildren. I was a part of the Sixties Scoop* being taken from my family and put into a foster home. 

‘Growing up I was abused in all ways and lost my identity, experiencing intergenerational trauma. At 14 years old, I ran away from the abuse I was experiencing and within an hour I was being fed drugs and groomed by two traffickers for sexual exploitation. After years of many near-death experiences, I reached a breaking point in my life and at 30 years old, I cried out to God. I did not want to die and just be another statistic. 

‘Twenty years later, I am still on my healing journey, but I would not change it for the world. I am in a place now where I can advocate for those that were once where I was. I find empowerment when I am sitting at a table with others that are fighting for justice for those that are in situations of modern slavery and human trafficking. 

‘I share my truths with others, especially police officers, judges and lawyers, because they can be a part of the solution when once I thought they were the problem. The reality is that we all can be a part of the solution when it comes to gender-based violence. What brings me hope is that I am not the only one that wants to end modern slavery and human trafficking, and when we all work together with the guidance of our Creator, that day will come!’ 

 

*The Canadian ‘Sixties Scoop’ refers to the mass removal of Indigenous children from their families into the child welfare system, in most cases without the consent of their families or bands. It affected an estimated 20,000 or more First Nations, Métis and Inuit children.