Birth of a Family

Birth of a Family is a 2017 Canadian documentary film that tells the compelling story of four siblings separated during the forced assimilation policy known as the "Sixties Scoop," striving to reconnect after decades of separation. The film stars Betty Ann Adam, who is also the subjects and narrator of this heart-wrenching documentary.

This feature-length documentary was directed by Tasha Hubbard and produced by the National Film Board of Canada, casting a crucial light on a dark chapter in Canada’s history. Birth of a Family serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of familial bonds.

At the core of the story is Betty Ann Adam, the eldest sibling and a journalist for Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Motivated by her work in journalism, she embarks on a personal journey to re-unite with her three siblings – Esther, Rosalie, and Ben. The loss of their native language and traditions makes their reunion even more poignant. Through Adam’s persistence, the siblings come together for the first time as a family, seeking to reclaim their shared past and embrace their culture deprived from them.

Betty Ann opens up about her turbulent experiences as a First Nations child separated from her Dene family and brought up by a white foster family away from her cultural roots. She gives a personal account of her quest to reunite with her siblings, and the emotional roller coaster that follows, interweaving the personal narrative with a broader critique of the colonial legacy that led to the Sixties Scoop.

Birth of a Family goes beyond just a narrative about long-lost siblings. It underlines the lasting consequences of the Sixties Scoop, a policy which resulted in the removal of thousands of Aboriginal children from their homes placed in foster homes or adopted by non-Indigenous families. These children suffered a dual tragedy - not only were they separated from their kinship, but they were also set adrift from their cultural heritage.

The film meticulously portrays the profound longing, the complex emotions, the joy of reunion and the pain of reclaiming a lost past that accompanies the sibling’s journey. The siblings' five-day meeting happens in Banff, Alberta, where they not only uncover their shared past but also create new memories.

Their interaction creates a deeply emotional space where they start the healing process, shared laughter and tears, familiar traits, and delve into the painful absence of their birth parents. The reunion is bittersweet, reflecting the genuine joy of being together and the shared sorrow of the lost years.

Birth of a Family is not just a recounting of a historic government policy but goes much deeper - it's in essence a human story stitched together with strands of yearning, pain, love, and hope. It's a story of a family torn apart by systemic intrusion and their journey towards healing and self-discovery, building their shared identity and creating a new family narrative.

The documentary features powerful, intimate graphics and an engaging narrative that envelops the audience, drawing them into the siblings' experiences. It provides a platform for the voices of those directly impacted by government policies, enabling the audience to bear witness to this chapter of Canadian history and understand the enduring impact on the indigenous community, while still retaining the focus on Adam's personal journey.

Birth of a Family is a poignant reflection on identity, family, and belonging. It is a story that intertwines personal narratives with the historical and political, illuminating a largely forgotten chapter in Canadian history, reminding the audience of the power of family and the strength of the human spirit. This documentary becomes an instrument of truth, healing, and reconciliation and leaves the audience with a deep sense of introspection, paying homage to a sorrowful past while looking forward to a hopeful future.