Growing up in the foster care system, SA国际影视传媒渉omeSA国际影视传媒� for Sandra Noel was always changing.

She bounced from one family to another SA国际影视传媒� eight homes over a nine-year span SA国际影视传媒� after entering care in Yellowknife at age 10. Noel, born in Inuvik, remembers the good parts while in care: a trip to Disneyland and being able to meet with other foster kids dealing with a lot of the same difficulties, for example.

Then there was the abuse. The numerous court visits.

Noel knows what itSA国际影视传媒檚 like to fall through the cracks; to be affected by a system she calls SA国际影视传媒渂roken.SA国际影视传媒�

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 why she led a march on Monday demanding reform within the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 child services system.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think it starts with the biological families and getting them the supports and resources they need to help them get their children back. From there, everything falls into place. ThereSA国际影视传媒檒l be less of a need for foster parents; less social workers needed,SA国际影视传媒� Noel told SA国际影视传媒.

Noel was joined by some 25 friends and supporters who marched down Franklin Avenue from the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool. Led by the citySA国际影视传媒檚 Municipal Enforcement Division (MED), participants SA国际影视传媒� including Mayor Rebecca Alty SA国际影视传媒� the demonstrators made their way to City Hall, where the march ended.

Among the changes Noel wants to see, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 pushing for more of a focus on the root causes that lead children in foster care, so that government intervention isnSA国际影视传媒檛 necessary. By addressing those issues SA国际影视传媒� being proactive and preventative SA国际影视传媒� she said more families will be able to stay intact.

NoelSA国际影视传媒檚 sentiments were shared by her friend, Jolene McDonald, who participated in MondaySA国际影视传媒檚 march.

SA国际影视传媒淚 really think that the focus should be on families first. ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to see a system that puts families of origin first by empowering families, not creating more distance. We need to bring families together so that children donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to go into foster care in the first place and if they are in care, to make sure that they still have that connection to family and culture,SA国际影视传媒� said McDonald.

Citing recent statistics, McDonald noted that Indigenous children are about 12 times more likely to be placed in foster care than non-Indigenous kids.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 wrong,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Georgina Franki, originally from Behchoko, opened the march with a prayer in the Tlicho language.

As a new grandmother, she felt it was important to support NoelSA国际影视传媒檚 cause.

SA国际影视传媒淚 want to make sure that children are protected, especially in our Aboriginal communities in the NWT. I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e overlooked,SA国际影视传媒� said Franki.

SA国际影视传媒淭he whole territory needs to get involved, to work together and to have unity so that these children are best protected emotionally, physically and spiritually,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淭his is a beginning.SA国际影视传媒�

Addressing supporters at Somba K'e Civic Plaza following the demonstration, Noel called for better training and support for foster parents; strengthened resources for birth families; increased communication among children, parents, government and social workers; and more transparency from Child and Family Services.

SA国际影视传媒楾he time for change is now,SA国际影视传媒� said Noel.

No progress since late last year: online tracker

In her calls to action, Noel echoed many of the concerns outlined months ago by frustrated foster parents and adoptive caregivers who lamented an ongoing lack of support and accountability from the government. A highly critical 27-page letter was sent to newly-appointed Health and Social Services Minister Diane Thom. It included numerous, wide-ranging recommendations that demanded bolstered supports for foster caregivers and increased department transparency.

The letter to Thom followed a blistering 2018 report from CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 auditor general, which found many aspects of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 child welfare system had worsened.

Amid increased scrutiny and the outcry from foster families, Thom told SA国际影视传媒 that the department was committed to turning concerns into SA国际影视传媒渋mmediate action.SA国际影视传媒� The minister later met with the Foster Family Coalition of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 board to hear their concerns.

The letter to Thom was sent after the Department of Health and Social Services touted the completion of 23 out of 70 SA国际影视传媒渁ction itemsSA国际影视传媒� outlined in its Quality Improvement Plan for child and family services. As of Monday, the departmentSA国际影视传媒檚 online progress tracker showed the same figures as appeared in December SA国际影视传媒� 23 items have been met, while 47 are still SA国际影视传媒渙n trackSA国际影视传媒� for completion, according to the government website.

A spokesperson for the department told SA国际影视传媒 they are preparing a statement regarding the current status and progress of the plan.