Adoptees of Sixties Scoop tell their stories

Summary

The speaker, a 60s Scoop survivor, shares their journey of self-discovery and healing from the trauma of being taken away from their indigenous roots and adopted by a white family. They recount the struggle with identity and the long path to embracing their heritage, overcoming mental health challenges, and finding strength in First Nations traditions. The narrative emphasizes the importance of education and reconciliation, advocating for the acknowledgment and implementation of treaties to honor indigenous ways of life.

Takeaways

• 🌪️ The speaker's early perception of their indigenous heritage was shaped negatively by their white adoptive parents and societal environment.
• 👥 Feeling of isolation as an adoptee, not fitting in with either biological or adoptive families due to cultural and worldview differences.
• 🌱 A belief that ancestral voices on the wind provided strength and resilience during times of personal struggle and adversity.
• 📚 Acknowledgment of the '60s Scoop as a global issue, not just an indigenous one, highlighting the need for its story to be told widely.
• 🏥 The speaker's journey of healing included overcoming multiple mental health diagnoses and a long process of self-discovery and acceptance.
• 💬 The importance of sharing personal stories to combat fear and raise awareness about the experiences of indigenous adoptees.
• 🌳 Embracing First Nations traditions and finding roots again as part of the healing process and moving forward in life.
• 🤝 A call for more education about indigenous history, treaties, and the impact of past policies like the residential schools and the '60s Scoop.
• 🌐 The speaker's newfound understanding and desire to educate others, particularly Aboriginal women, on strength and overcoming suffering.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The positive influence of the speaker's adoptive mother, who encouraged understanding and respect for the birth mother's decision.
• 🤝 A sense of community and belonging found in gatherings with other adoptees, highlighting the shared experience and mutual understanding.

Q & A

What was the initial perception of the narrator's heritage from their white adopted parents?

The initial perception of the narrator's heritage was not positive, as it was portrayed negatively through the eyes of their white adopted parents.

How does the narrator describe the unique sound of the wind in their town?

The narrator believes the unique sound of the wind carries the voices of their ancestors, who they feel gave them the strength to survive abuse and ridicule.

What is the '60 scoop' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the narrator's story?

The '60 scoop' refers to a period in history when indigenous children were taken away from their families and given to non-indigenous adoptive families. The narrator is one of the 60 scoop survivors, and their story is a reflection of this historical event.

How does the narrator describe their struggle with identity and fitting in?

The narrator struggles with identity, feeling they don't fit in with either their biological or adoptive family due to being raised with a white worldview, which is very different from their indigenous heritage.

What was the narrator's realization about their indigenous identity?

The narrator realized that even though they looked native, they often forgot they were native because they grew up identifying as white.

How long did it take for the narrator to resolve their past traumas?

It took the narrator about 15 years to completely resolve what had happened to them, including being diagnosed with various mental health disorders.

What role did the narrator's psychiatrist play in their healing process?

The narrator's psychiatrist played a crucial role by allowing them to talk through their experiences, which helped them find their strength again.

How has the narrator integrated First Nations traditions into their life?

The narrator has adopted First Nations traditions into their life as part of their healing journey, helping them find their roots again.

What is the narrator's motivation for sharing their story?

The narrator shares their story to help others, particularly Aboriginal women, learn how to be strong and overcome the suffering they have experienced.

What misconceptions did the narrator have about Native people growing up?

The narrator grew up with misconceptions that Native people were lazy, on welfare, and drunks, which they later realized were false after learning more about their history and the impact of events like residential schools and the 60 scoop.

What does the narrator believe is the most important step towards reconciliation and understanding?

The narrator believes that education is the most important step, including educating the government, Canadians, and their own communities about the history and current issues faced by indigenous people, as well as honoring and implementing treaties and agreements.

How did the narrator's perspective on adoption change over time?

The narrator's perspective on adoption changed from a negative view influenced by their adoptive parents to a more understanding and respectful one, recognizing the love and difficult decisions made by their birth mother.

What was the significance of the gathering mentioned in the script?

The gathering was significant because it was the first time the narrator met other adoptees, creating a sense of community and understanding without the need for words, as they all shared similar experiences.