Lecture on Richard Cardinal's Life and Struggles

Early Life

• Birthplace: Fort Chipewyan
• Parents: Described as alcoholics by a social worker
• Siblings: Removed from parents due to alcoholism

Richard's Diary

• Letter to Chuck: Expresses love and hope despite not knowing each other well
• Emotion: Richard mentions quitting everything and being unable to feel emotions anymore

Foster Care System

• Number of Placements: 28 different placements from age 4 to 17
  • Foster Homes: 16
  • Group Homes/Shelters: 12
• Diary: Describes hardship, abuse, and neglect
• Initial School Experience: Faced social worker intervention during school year

Foster Parents' Accounts

• Activities Enjoyed: Building bridges, picking rocks, working on farm tasks
• Emotional Attachment: Richard was good company but never talked about his past
• Final Placement and Incident: Met last foster parents, Terry and Leo Crothers
  • Incident: Richard found hanging from a birch tree; supposed bodybuilding setup dismissed by social worker

Death and Aftermath

• Date of Death: June 26, 1984, also Crothers' birthday
• Immediate Reactions: Foster parents searched for Richard, found him deceased
• Response: No initial autopsy or inquiry, pictures sent to officials sparked media attention

Judicial Inquiry

• Duration: 5 days
• Presided by: Judge Walter White
• Testimonies: From 21 witnesses, including social workers, psychiatrists, and foster parents
• Findings: Inadequacies in the child welfare system, lack of a permanent home for Richard

Separation from Family

• Initial Removal: Taken by RCMP, separated into different homes
• Abuse: Experienced abuse in multiple homes, particularly for bedwetting
• Emotional Impact: Felt lonely, depressed, considered suicide

Richard's Final Years

• Longest Stay: Lived with Kessler family, experienced psychological issues
• Suicide Attempts: Two attempts while with Kessler family
• Behavioral Issues: Ran away, stole trucks, shot a cow, failing school
• Final Placement: Transferred to various shelters and group homes, continued to struggle

Reflection on Richard's Life

• Lack of Emotional Support: Never felt truly loved or at home
• Family Reunion: Family finally brought together at his funeral
• Diary Excerpt on Love: Explores the complexities and his struggle with the concept of love

Important Quotes

• Richard's Diary: "Don't take this personally. I just can't take any more."
• Reflection on Love: "Love can be gentle as a lamb, ferocious as a lion... People live, fight, die for this."