WARNING: This article discusses violence against Indigenous women and girls and has experienced or knows someone who has experienced violence. It can affect humans.
The family of 14-year-old Indigenous girl Noelle Osupup said the body of was found in her Vancouver apartment in May, according to the B.C.
Osup and her three siblings belong to the Key First Nations of Saskatchewan and the Sortau First Nations of British Columbia, and have lived in ministry-run group homes for more than a decade. I was there. For many years since she was separated from her mother's care at an early age.
Her uncle, Cody Munch, however, moved to Fort St. has been traveling regularly to Vancouver from and was discussing moving O'Soup with MCFD to his family's home in care.
"It would have been better to be with us," Munch said from Fort St. He Jon.
"One of the things I don't understand is what happened in that group home. We wanted to ask questions about everything leading up to her death." [MCFD] didn't want to talk about it."
O'Soup fled his Port Coquitlam group home on May 12, 2021. A woman and an apartment occupant, a man in his early 40s.
O'Soup and the unidentified woman's death are being investigated by the VPD's Serious Crimes Division, but the man's death is not being treated as suspicious . The man's body was found in February, but the other two were not found until early May.
The coroner is still investigating the cause of death.
Vancouver police officers, currently under investigation for dereliction of duty, failed to find two bodies while searching a small apartment building.
According to a statement from the MCFD (provided by Cody Munch), BC Minister Mitzi Dean was not available for interview.
"Due to confidentiality reasons, the Ministry cannot comment publicly. or even confirm the Ministry's involvement. Individual children, youth, or families." and read part of it.
Munch said he was troubled by the circumstances surrounding his niece's death and reports that neighbors had contacted the VPD and reported a foul odor coming from their apartment. 44}
``The reason why a fourteen-year-old girl goes to East Hastings and Heatley Streets and hangs there.''
`` Some people came forward and said, I tried calling the VPD but they said no one came. No one came.Nothing done.”
Families not notified of missing or dead
Munch described Osoup as a shy but happy girl who liked taking selfies and formed strong bonds with the relatives of the women he met. He said he found it increasingly difficult to leave and became angry and withdrawn during 2019-20. I noticed
Munch was not informed by the VPD or her MCFD when O'Soup fled, and first heard of her missing in media reports. Told. He said the VPD notified her O'Soup's mother. Her mother struggles with addiction and struggles to maintain clear communication with her family.
Munch said he finally found a three-bedroom apartment. He hoped Osoup would move in with her family. It was just ten days after she disappeared.
"We all should have known we were in this business to get these kids out of the system. He added that had he known she was missing, he would have come to Vancouver to begin a search. They didn't say, 'Hey, your sister has been missing for two months.
Munch said a lack of communication ensued when Osup's remains were finally identified. He was on his way back from Vancouver to Fort St. John. , the fact that I was able to help those boys." I warn him about the news for privacy.
"Between May 1st and about mid-June, I learned that my niece passed away. I had to check the news in the car on the way home." 134}
Police are "dedicated to finding answers"
Vancouver police said in a statement that they had private meetings with Osup's family when his identity was confirmed. and provide an update on the investigation, which said it will continue to investigate.
"Noel's death has raised many questions for the community. We are committed to finding answers," read part of the statement. As the investigation remains open, the VPD will not comment on whether the man found dead in the same apartment is being investigated in connection with her death or other crimes. .
If a young person in their care goes missing, the caregiver must report the absence to the ministry, which will notify the police, the MCFD statement said. When a young person in their care dies, the Department initiates a child and family practice review, formerly known as a case review. A review of practices "could lead to an action plan to address identified practice issues," it said.
Munch still struggles to access basic information about Osup's life in the group home, and said she was not granted access to her files in the ministry.
``What resources did you use to find that girl? How many times did you go see her? Did you follow up... It makes absolutely no sense. That's negligence," he said, adding that if his niece hadn't been indigenous, he would have been found "immediately."
Munch breaks the vicious circle created by boarding schools and her '60s scoop that has affected multiple generations once O'Soup is closer to her family and her culture. He said he believed he had a chance. of his family.
"Foster parenting is boarding school 2.0. It's a ripple effect," he said.
``What did he want to be when he grows up?''
