Father in Inuvik, N.W.T., decries lack of local supports for autistic daughter
A father from Inuvik, N.W.T., says a lack of caregivers and other supports in his community means his daughter, who has autism and epilepsy, has to live down south, far from her family.
Kylik Kisoun-Taylor's 13 year-old daughter Imogen has been living under voluntary foster care in B.C. since 2021.
Kisoun-Taylor says his daughter needs constant care. He says she needs someone with her at all times so she doesn't hurt herself. The job became too much for him and her mother.
He has built a small group of cabins north of Inuvik where he catches and grows his own food. He said the cost of living in Inuvik is too high and with his cabins he's able to host tourists. He offers dog sledding and other traditional activities.
He hopes by the time Imogen ages out of foster care, his business will be better established and he can then focus more on her care.
"So she'll be able to have a good quality of life and I'll be able to you know, spend time with my children which is a dream of mine. Which I never thought I would have. I thought I would just be spending time with my children but, I don't get to," said Kisoun-Taylor.
Kisoun-Taylor typically goes to see his daughter in B.C. four times a year through medical travel but that can sometimes be challenging to arrange. He said he missed his last trip because of a clerical error.
"The last time I got to see her was for two and a half days," he said.
That visit was in November. He said the last visit of any length was last May, for a few weeks.
He hopes Inuvik will one day have the proper services for families like his. Kisoun-Taylor's family roots are in Inuvik and he wants to raise his family in their traditional home and to continue to showcase the North to tourists.
Kisoun-Taylor feels his family's needs are not taken as seriously by the government as other cases where intervention is required.
He said they were encouraged to move elsewhere for better care.
"That is a heartbreaking thing, when you love your way of life. I love it here. We were basically told, 'too bad, move,'" said Kisoun-Taylor.
The department of Health and Social Services says there are services in Inuvik for families with complex needs. A representative from the territorial government said families can reach out to the office of client experience for help in accessing services.
Child development services, rehabilitation services, and respite services are some of the things offered in Inuvik for the region.
Kisoun-Taylor says he feels like the system is overloaded. He said he always hears there aren't enough resources or money to cover the sort of support his family needs.
"I don't believe the resources aren't there," he said.
"Did we need a $100 million wind turbine? Or do we need treatment centres and places for our children? Do we need a giant huge new airport, or need things for our families and children? I am sorry, the money is there — they just decide not to spend it."
