4°c A few clouds
18°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Paper trail runs dry
Delores Chief Abigosis, centre in red, a social worker testified today at the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry� Here she prepares to leave for a lunch break- See Carol Sanders story- November 26, 2012 (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
Dolores Chief-Abigosis perfectly illustrates why social workers must take detailed and accurate notes of their case work.
She took over the Phoenix Sinclair file on Nov. 14, 2000. From that date until Feb. 5, 2001, there is no recorded contact between Chief-Abigosis and the family.
In testimony at the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry this week, the former social worker insisted she might have had more contact but not written it down. Her supervisors have testified it was standard social-work practice to note all contact.
Chief-Abigosis's shoddy note-taking was exacerbated by her lack of memory. She answered "I can't recall" 14 times in a 25-minute exchange with a lawyer.
Under questioning from commission counsel Derek Olson, Chief-Abigosis drew a blank on even minor matters.
Is there a reason why supervisor Lorna Hanson would have signed Samantha Kematch's closing file summary in your place, Olson asked.
"I can't recall."
"It's dated Aug. 16," he prompted. "Were you still at the agency?"
"I can't recall the exact date I left the agency," she replied.
(For the record, Chief-Abigosis left the agency in July 2001.)
In another exchange, Olson questioned Chief-Abigosis about her involvement with the family after Echo, Phoenix's younger sister, died.
If you attended the funeral, Olson asked, when after that did you stop actively working on files?
"I can't recall."
After the funeral, did you offer services to Sinclair, Olson asked.
"I can't recall."
"Were you still involved with the family after funeral?" he asked.
She was on paper duty. She said she remembered attending Echo's funeral. Does that help you remember when you resigned, Olson asked.
I can't recall exactly, she said.
-- Lindor Reynolds
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 1, 2012 A6
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Columnists
- Back to Top
- Return to Columnists
More Columnists
(1 of 6 articles for today)
Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
1:00 AM 0Maybe it's posturing, maybe it's reality, but at this juncture it doesn't appear Alex Burmistrov is prepared to extend his ...
About Lindor Reynolds
Lindor Reynolds began work at the Free Press as a 17-year-old proofreader. She was fired three weeks later.
Many years later, armed with a university education, she was hired as a columnist. During 16 years on the job she has managed to avoid being sacked again.
Lindor has received considerable recognition for her writing. Her awards include the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ general interest award and the North American Travel Journalists Association award.
She has earned three nominations for the Michener Award and has been awarded a Distinguished Alumni commendation from the University of Winnipeg. Lindor was also named a YWCA Woman of Distinction.
She is married with four daughters.
Poll
Most Popular Columnists
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Political opportunity knocks to abolish Senate
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Tell the building manager and the peep show will end
- Tick season means pets at risk of Lyme disease
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Tell your dad what you think
- He's been taking funny seriously for 60 years
- Katz bogeys again
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Katz bogeys again
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Political opportunity knocks to abolish Senate
- Tell husband you're not talking to her... maybe tell him why
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- Mount Carmel Clinic: An oasis of acceptance in a judgmental world
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Cancer doesn't care who it may kill
- Goodbye, Susan; a privilege to know you
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Beloved piece of Winnipeg's music history deserves better
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- Katz bogeys again
- Dugouts could change the game
- Winter is coming
- White sucker right for Manitoba
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Late deal in workplace sex-harassment case
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Explore Desire seminars to 'push the boundaries'
- Going gluten-free doesn't mean giving up foods you love
- Cancer doesn't care who it may kill
- Tapping sweetness from birch trees
- Mount Carmel Clinic: An oasis of acceptance in a judgmental world
- Katz bogeys again
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Dugouts could change the game
- Happily selling shoes at age 89
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- White sucker right for Manitoba
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Selinger's ability to sell case weak link in tax-hike plan
- Emotional roller-coaster
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.