Inquiry told girl’s death due to colonialism
WINNIPEG — Manitoba aboriginal leaders say the death of a five-year-old girl at the hands of her guardians was the result of centuries of colonialism in Canada.
Jay Funke, lawyer representing the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Southern Chiefs Organization, told an inquiry looking into the death of Phoenix Sinclair that the childwelfare practice of seizing native children is seen by many aboriginals as an extension of the residential school system.
“First Nation l eaders maintain that these separation practices have also contributed to the grim socio-economic reality confronting many First Nation families and children throughout Manitoba,” Funke told Commissioner Ted Hughes during closing submissions Wednesday.
The impact of colonial practices continues to be felt by native people and helps explain the disproportionate number of aboriginal children in care, Funke said.
“First Nation leaders believe that the tragedy suffered by Phoenix was, in large part, the result of centuries of colonial-based policies and practices which have been forced upon the First Nations people of Canada,” he said.
Phoenix spent much of her short life bouncing in and out of care, but was always returned to her mother, despite allegations of abuse.
The girl died in 2005 on the cold basement floor of her family’s home on the Fisher River reserve after withstanding repeated tortuous abuse which broke virtually every bone in her body.
She was buried in a shallow grave near the community’s garbage dump while her mother, Samantha Kematch, continued to collect child subsidy cheques.
Kematch and her boyfriend, Karl McKay, were convicted of first-degree murder.