Overcome

Abandonment, loss, instability, self-reliance, persistence, and fierce beauty all coexist in this compelling collection of stories of ten women who journey from victims of the child welfare system to survivors, and beyond. 

In these deeply person stories- compiled by Anne Mahon after extensive interviews- the women look back through the lens of their lived experience to contribute to changing the narratives of how people who grew up in the child welfare system see themselves and how society sees them. 

They also illustrate the direct and multi-faceted relationships between residential schools, the breakdown of Indigenous families, the perpetuated systemic racism of the child welfare system and oppression throughout other societal systems. Despite facing endless challenges, oppression, and trauma these women discover their power through creativity, advocacy, cultural exploration, self-awareness, education, motherhood, and extreme empathy.

Generously shared and powerfully told, these stories will educate and create change. 

Review

Sharing child-welfare system stories helps women heal, Katie May, Winnipeg Free Press, Nov. 12, 2022.

Opinion

The foster-care system causes harm to Indigenous families. We must do better, Anne Mahon, The Globe and Mail, Oct. 17, 2022.

So so incredibly grateful for your book. It has created some powerful insights and conversations among colleagues, youth, and students
Patricia
These women had no choice in the often tragic turns their lives took, but they made the choice to somehow survive. What these women have overcome, and the wisdom they can impart based on their lived experience has the potential to change a flawed system if we collectively listen to their voices. We must allow these voices to be heard. Anne’s book, and the women who contributed their stories touched my heart. I am in awe of all of these women and their bravery in sharing openly with such raw honesty.
Tracy
I'm reading page 40 and have tears in my eyes. It's hard to believe these stories are real. Really makes you think.
Scott
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I was given the ability to be strong and the ability to create [my art] as a gift, because I had nothing else. Everything else was taken from me.
Jackie
I stood my ground with CFS when I was a teenager and didn't want to stay in foster care anymore, I fought the system to keep custody of each of my own children, and I have gained guardianship of three of my grandchildren. I have helped many people either keep their kids or get their children back from care.
Mary
My life seems just normal to me. It’s really hard for me to realize that all this—going through foster care, poverty, homelessness—aren’t normal for everyone else.
Sarah
The number one thing in my life is my sobriety, because if I don’t have that, I won’t have my kids and I won’t have my life.
Rachel
For kids in care, the situation [foster home] never becomes familiar; what becomes familiar is the removal.
Amy
We are failing our youth in care. A home is really important for a sense of belonging—not just belonging in this world, but belonging to yourself.
Marlyn
It was one hundred percent harder to be a kid in CFS than it was to come out as transgender.
Karlii
Sometimes we didn’t even have clean clothes. I remember I found an old, white washboard in the garbage and I was so happy. That’s how I used to wash me and Rachel’s clothes.
Melissa
One thing that you have to understand is that our family is very close. There isn't a celebration that we aren't all together. We're making peace with how we were brought up.
Rachel #2
When I received my spirit name I felt powerful. I finally knew who I was as an Indigenous person, and felt that I had a place in society. My culture means everything to me now.
Jenna
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All author sales of the book Overcome are being donated to support youth in care and transitioning to adulthood through Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network

All photography for Overcome by Andrew Mahon Photography 

Cover art for Overcome from the painting titled My Tears Turn Into Something Beautiful by book participant Jackie Traverse.

  1. What were your expectations before reading this book? How are the stories similar or different to those expectations?
  2. Which stories challenged you or surprised you? Which stories inspired you the most?
  3. Do you know anyone who has been in the child welfare system? Do you know any foster parents? Do you recognize any of their experiences in the stories you’ve read?
  4. How do the stories in this book differ from the stories you have seen in media about the child welfare system?
  5. What are your thoughts about the statistics listed at the beginning of the book?
  6. It has been said that people survive the child welfare system. How do you feel about this statement?
  7. What personal attributes and/or external supports helped the participants overcome the trauma they experienced and their time in the child welfare system?
  8. Why do you think there are a disproportionate number of Indigenous children in the child welfare system?
  9. Many of the participant’s parents were residential school survivors. Did this surprise you? What is the relationship between residential schools and the child welfare system?
  10. Many participants experienced violence early in their lives. Can cycles of violence be broken? If so, how?
  11. Were you aware of Birth Alerts before reading this book? What are your thoughts on them?
  12. What could be done to support parents before the children are removed from their home? Have you heard of any new ideas to keep children in their homes with their families?
  13. If your children needed to be taken into care, what would be your expectations of the child welfare system?

I acknowledge with respect the Annishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Peoples on whose unceded land this book was created and printed. I also acknowledge that this is the Homeland of the Métis Nation. I commit to humbly listening and working to create relationships that support truth and reconciliation.

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Ⓒ 2022 Anne Mahon. All rights reserved.