Sixties Scoop survivors draw attention to a dark era

Survivors of the Sixties Scoop marched through Winnipeg'sdowntown, drawing attention to adark era in Canada's history.

"I love that we're all coming together now because there's strength in numbers and there's nothing better than to speak with someone who's had the same experience," saidSharonGmitroski, who was taken from her home in Norway House in 1968, when she was just 1 years old.

Similar walks have taken place inother provinces to shine more light on the Scoop,as it iscalled anera from the1960sto the1980s,when child welfare authorities scoopedup Indigenous children and adopted them outto non-Indigenous families.

Those placed in homes outside the country weren't just adopted out of their Indigenous homes and into mostly white American families they were bought and paid for.

• Indigenous children for sale: The money behind the Sixties Scoop

Winnipeg's march, which included some survivors as well as supporters,began at 10 a.m. atThunderbird House. Itpassed through the city's famous Portage and Main intersection, where participants performed a round dance,beforewinding up at theManitoba legislative building.

Survivors are now seeking compensation, awareness, education and resources to help them heal. Troniak Law Firm in Winnipeg filed a claim this past spring but many fear any resolution will be a long time coming.

• Sixties Scoop lawsuit could be tied up by 'years of fighting,' says Mtis leader

"It's time that we're being heard, that we are acknowledged, " said Carla Williams, another marcher taking part in Friday's event in Winnipeg. "We are suing the federal government ...We do want compensation."

She was adopted to a family in the Netherlands in 1972, when she was eightyearsold, but she doesn't use the word adoption to describe it.

"We were stolen," she said.

Sixties Scoop survivors draw attention to a dark era

8 years ago

Duration 2:19

Survivors of the Sixties Scoop marched through Winnipeg's downtown, drawing attention to a dark era in Canada's history.