Finding Cleo: How a CBC podcast solved the mystery of a missing Indigenous girl

Summary

The story follows Christine Cameron’s decades-long search for her sister, Cleo, who was separated from their family as part of Canada's 'Sixties Scoop' policy. Raised in white families after being taken from their Indigenous community in Saskatchewan, Cleo's fate remained a mystery until Christine sought help. Their investigation uncovers the truth: Cleo tragically took her own life at 13 in 1978, not murdered as previously believed. Through documents, interviews, and a podcast, Christine uncovers painful truths about Cleo's life, giving her long-awaited closure while shedding light on the deep scars left by government policies on Indigenous children.

Takeaways

• 😀 Christine Cameron has kept the only picture of her sister Cleo, which has been her sole connection to her for over four decades.
• 😀 Cleo's tragic death, at the age of 13, was a mystery for many years; she was believed to have been murdered, but it was later revealed that she took her own life.
• 😀 Christine and her siblings were adopted into white families after being separated from their biological mother, Lillian, as part of Canada's '60s Scoop.
• 😀 The '60s Scoop involved the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families, with many adopted into white homes, a process that was often traumatic for those involved.
• 😀 Cleo's family never had basic information about her life, such as her birth date or adoptive name, which made finding her incredibly difficult.
• 😀 Christine's search for Cleo began in Saskatchewan, where the family spent their early years on the Little Pine First Nation reserve.
• 😀 Wayne Sam, Cleo's cousin and current chief of the reserve, recalled the traumatic day when Cleo and her siblings were taken away by social services.
• 😀 A key part of the investigation led to a discovery in Medford, New Jersey, where a headstone matching Cleo's name was found.
• 😀 Cleo's adoptive mother, Mrs. Lila Dona, confirmed that Cleo had taken her own life, which was a devastating revelation for Christine, who had believed Cleo was murdered.
• 😀 Through research, Christine discovered Cleo's final letters, which revealed her deep unhappiness and desire to return to her biological family, highlighting the psychological toll of the adoption process on Indigenous children.
• 😀 Despite the painful nature of the truth, Christine found solace in finally knowing what happened to her sister, marking a significant step in healing a decades-long wound.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the story in the script?

The main subject of the story is the investigation into the life and death of Cleo, a young Indigenous girl who was taken from her family during the 60s Scoop in Canada. The investigation focuses on Cleo's tragic death and the emotional journey of her sibling, Christine, as she uncovers the truth after decades of searching.

How was Cleo separated from her family?

Cleo, along with her siblings, was taken from their grandmother's home in Saskatchewan by social services during the 60s Scoop, a time when Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in white adoptive homes.

What was the primary emotional impact on Christine throughout the investigation?

Christine experienced deep emotional turmoil as she sought answers about her sister Cleo's fate. She was haunted by the loss of connection to her sister and the unanswered questions surrounding her death, which had been shrouded in mystery for decades.

What was the false narrative Christine had been told about Cleo's death?

Christine had been told that Cleo was murdered in Arkansas after being assaulted. This narrative was believed by the family for decades, but later, it was revealed that Cleo had died by suicide at the age of 13.

How did Christine's search for Cleo’s truth begin?

Christine's search began after years of hitting bureaucratic barriers and being unable to find any information about Cleo’s life, death, or whereabouts. She reached out for help, and the investigation was launched to uncover the truth, starting in the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan.

What role did Wayne Sam play in the investigation?

Wayne Sam, Cleo's cousin, provided critical memories of their early life together in Saskatchewan. He shared poignant recollections of the day Cleo and her siblings were taken away by social services, offering an emotional glimpse into their shared past.

What does the script reveal about the government’s approach to Indigenous children during the 60s Scoop?

The government’s approach was based on the assumption that Indigenous families were incapable of properly caring for their children. This led to mass removals of Indigenous children from their communities and placement into non-Indigenous homes, often resulting in feelings of loss, cultural disconnection, and trauma for the children involved.

How did Cleo's adoptive family contribute to the investigation?

Cleo’s adoptive family was located in Medford, New Jersey, and the investigation led to finding Cleo’s adoptive mother, Lila Dona. Although Lila declined to appear on camera, she shared the truth about Cleo’s death, confirming that Cleo took her own life, which contradicted the family’s long-held belief that she had been murdered.

What did Christine discover about Cleo’s emotional state in the months leading to her death?

Through letters and reports, Christine learned that Cleo was very unhappy in her adoptive life and yearned to return to her biological family. Cleo expressed distress over being removed from her siblings and indicated her deep emotional pain and dissatisfaction with her life in foster care.

What impact did this investigation have on Christine?

Christine was grateful to finally know the truth about her sister’s death, though she still yearned for more details. The investigation gave her a sense of closure, though it also deepened her emotional connection to her sister's memory, especially after reading Cleo's final words.