Hunter, who is White Bear Cree, was 9 years old when she went into care and was in and out of care until she had her son at 16 years old. She then wh entered into an independent living agreement. Hunter describes her time in care as “chaotic,” a series of group homes and long stays at youth shelters. She found herself on youth probation with the youth justice system and struggled with substance abuse before having her son. 

“It was very hard not being connected culturally, I missed out on so much community and struggled with cultural identity. I didn’t know where I belonged.” Says Hunter.

She started to reconnect with her culture at 19, and when she turned 22, she was connected to Visions and Voices, which gave her the opportunity to learn more about her culture and to help the younger kids. Visions and Voices is Xyólheméylh's youth advisory group. They plan events, provide advice and learn leadership skills. It was through visions and voices that she was hired by Xyólheméylh to become a Child and Youth Mentor on staff.

“I love it”, says Hunter. “It’s different being on the opposite side. I understand what it’s like to be a child in care. I’m not going to judge them, and I see a huge sense of relief when the youth I work with learn that about me.”

She is now 24 years old, in her third year of a Criminology major at university. Her goal is to continue working with kids, specifically indigenous kids within the youth justice system and aims to keep youth connected to their culture.

She now has three kids of her own and has also become a caregiver for her nephew. This year she is celebrating five years with her partner, and 10 years sober from her DOC. She is now very involved in learning and teaching her culture – dancing, drumming, sewing, learning the language and attending powwows. “It’s so fulfilling, I love it”, says Hunter.

Jackie and Martin Krol have been caregivers with Xyólheméylh for eight years. Martin is from the Netherlands and Jackie is Canadian. The have eight biological children – the five oldest are married and the youngest three who are 17, 15 and 11 are still living at home.

The three children are a great help with the seven foster children she is currently caring for who are between seven weeks to seven years. This includes a sibling group of three, another sibling group of two and two other children.

Jackie was a teacher for 25 years and Martin worked in construction and farming. While he was in construction he helped to build Seabird Island Fist Nation school. Although Jackie and Marin have since moved to a smaller hobby farm and she’s retired from teaching, she received special permission to homeschool one of the foster children, in addition to her bio children, because of the child’s anxiety and attachment issues. Their hobby farm is in Ryder Lake, Chilliwack, has plenty of indoor and outdoor space for the kids to play and even has a zipline.

Jackie says she and Martin became caregivers because they felt called to do it. “We love children, and love working with children. That is what we've done basically our whole life,” says Jackie. They feel strongly that the children should stay connected to their families as much as possible. They also nurture connection to Indigenous culture and attend many cultural events.

Jackie credits her Xyólheméylh Resource worker for her support. “Nothing would work without her – she is a gem.”  She also says having connections with other caregivers who can provide respite is important for making it work.

We raise our hands to Martin and Jackie and all the Xyólheméylh caregivers who provide loving homes for children who can’t be with their families. If you are interested in becoming a caregiver we have information sessions twice a month. For more information contact Cynthia Alexanderson at: [email protected].