In his time under care, James Poker experienced conflicting situations. While at home in Natuashish, his father received positive reports from caregivers about James’s well-being in placements in Ontario and Saskatchewan. However, in reality, James was frequently running away, leading to police involvement and extended absences. He struggled with hallucinations, felt disconnected from his culture, and failed to form meaningful relationships with his caregivers.
During a public inquiry examining James’s care, the Poker family’s lawyer, Scott Lynch, highlighted the misleading information provided to James’s family, preventing them from fully understanding his issues. Despite the flawed communication, it was considered better than no communication at all.
James spent his final 16 months at Ranch Ehrlo, a youth mental health center in Saskatchewan. Lynch mentioned the lack of documented communication between Ranch Ehrlo and the Poker family regarding James’s mental health and medication. James’s father only learned about his son’s return to Natuashish when he saw him in the community.
James aged out of care at 16 and passed away before turning 18. His case is one of six deaths under review in the inquiry on Innu child protection. Thomas Poker, James’s father, expressed that the system failed his son, emphasizing that James should have stayed within his family and community.
James’s upbringing was rooted in Innu culture and language, providing a nurturing environment for his growth. However, various interactions with social workers before his placement in care raised concerns. The lack of supervision and incidents of inappropriate behavior were red flags that were not adequately addressed by the Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development.
James was placed in Broken Arrow Residential Treatment Services in Ontario for four years, where communication with his family was limited. The investigation into his death revealed shortcomings in the treatment provided by Broken Arrow, which lacked cultural relevance despite its name suggesting otherwise.
Upon his return to Natuashish, James continued to battle mental health issues without proper support or communication about his medication. The lack of follow-up care and communication hindered his reintegration into his community, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
The tragedy of James Poker’s story has prompted calls for reforms in the child protection system. Despite legislation affirming Indigenous communities’ rights, there is still a long road ahead to establish a truly Innu-led system. The inquiry highlighted a decrease in Innu children being sent outside the province for care, but significant improvements are needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.