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>> Anpetu waste!
Good afternoon, Mni Wakan Oyate!
You're listening to the Montana
Man, right here on KABU,
heartbeat of the Spirit Lake
Nation.
It is 12 degrees outside,
the sun is shining, it is a good
day!
>> (Robin sighs)
>> And it's going to get even
hotter tonight, because tonight
it's round dance time!
>> ROBIN: It's been five months
since my kids were taken from
me, and I miss them terribly.
>> Good afternoon, Ackre Law
Firm.
Yes.
Could I take a message for him?
Okay.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
>> Hey, Robin.
How are you doing?
>> ROBIN: Frustrated.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: Have you heard
anything?
About my kids?
>> Called the court today.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Gipp planned to get an
order out today on this case,
but they couldn't guarantee
anything.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Tribal Social Services,
Monique had her opportunity to
present to the court any
evidence she had...
>> ROBIN: She doesn't have it.
>> To show the court that
reunifying the children now with
you is not in the children's
best interest.
She didn't present anything.
>> ROBIN: Uh-uh.
>> The bottom line is, is you
don't have your kids, and I
don't understand why you don't
have them.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> It seems like Tribal Social
Services is working against you.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Gipp, at page five
ordered that...
specifically
ordered that Spirit Lake Tribal
Social Services immediately
schedule weekly supervised
visits between you and your
children as part of the
reunification efforts.
>> ROBIN: It's not been done.
>> What type of reunification
plan does Spirit Lake Tribal
Services have?
>> ROBIN: None.
>> So finally you visit the
children for a couple hours?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And your children told you,
We stayed at Dad's house last
night?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Okay?
And I asked Monique why she
arranged contact between Anthony
and Darian after directives from
the FBI saying keep those two
apart, and she had no excuse,
did she?
>> ROBIN: Other than it was her
supervisor.
>> The children wanted it.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Right?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Of course we didn't know the
children had stayed with Anthony
the night before too.
>> ROBIN: No.
>> So then you did call the U.S.
Attorney and inform the U.S.
Attorney that we just had a
custody hearing.
It's about possible *** abuse
of your daughter by the father.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And that Tribal Social
Services actually placed your
children with your ex-husband
recently.
And it sure seems like the
federal investigators' hands
must be tied.
They said nothing.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So I don't feel comfortable
how this thing's unfolding.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Okay.
And now we have been told your
ex-husband might have to
register as a sex offender?
>> ROBIN: About what he did to
Jodie.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: Who used to be my
foster child.
>> Did you know anything was
going on?
>> ROBIN: I had my suspicions.
>> Did you report it?
>> ROBIN: Yes, I did.
>> Who'd you report it to?
>> ROBIN: Social Services.
>> Did they do an investigation?
>> ROBIN: No.
>> So now they're prosecuting
the Jodie case, they're ignoring
Darian's case, as far as you
know.
>> ROBIN: I haven't heard
nothing on Darian.
>> Maybe that's why no one from
the FBI will talk to you.
>> ROBIN: Uh-huh, yeah.
>> Obviously they aren't
responding to me.
>> ROBIN: Uh-uh.
All right.
Well, thanks for seeing me today
and I'll...
>> There's an emotional hole.
You don't know how to respond,
do you?
>> ROBIN: I have no idea,
because it's just getting
frustrated.
I sit at home and I cry and cry
and cry, but it doesn't do any
good.
So I'm getting just worn out.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: And not getting
anywhere.
>> Well... let's cross our
fingers today something's going
to happen.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> I seen Jodie at the federal
courthouse and the people that
had been selected for the grand
jury were just starting to walk
out.
Um, they must have been deciding
whether or not they were going
to take Robin's ex-husband to
court or not.
So this woman come walking up to
us and she must have thought the
woman I was with was Robin's
foster daughter Jodie, and she
said, "She did such a good job
and she is so strong.
The grand jury believed her."
Whatever Jodie had told them was
convincing enough for them to
agree that Robin's ex-husband
Anthony should go to trial in
federal court for what he did to
both girls.
>> Realizing, after she
testified, how well Robin's
foster daughter did, I knew that
this was the additional piece
that we needed to make this
case.
The case wasn't strong enough
based upon all of Robin's issues
with alcohol.
So I decided to link the cases
between Robin's daughter and the
foster daughter together in
one charging document and
proceed to trial on both cases.
I felt that that would be the
most logical way to advance and
to give the jury enough to look
at, to see the true side of
Anthony Charboneau.
>> ROBIN: Hoa.
Hoa.
(Native American music
playing)
>> ROBIN: After Anthony was
indicted, everything started to
fall into place.
I got the kids back.
Tribal Social Services couldn't
prove that I was an unfit
mother.
When I went to pick them up,
the kids were crying, "No, Mom,
we don't want to go with you."
I felt terrible, but I was going
to bring them home.
No matter what.
>> Hello.
>> ROBIN: So how was school
today?
>> Good.
>> ROBIN: What'd you do today?
>> Um, had school.
>> ROBIN: Still crabby?
>> No.
>> ROBIN: Oh, okay.
>> I finished all my homework.
>> ROBIN: I did my homework
last night.
>> Really?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
I was up all night.
Watched the movie Thirteen.
>> Yeah, I know.
>> ROBIN: Oh my god, that mom
in that movie.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: You are so going to be
saying, "Mom, that's you."
>> Yeah?
>> ROBIN: My teacher wanted me
to watch it with you.
>> Yeah?
>> ROBIN: Probably have to do a
report.
Have you watched it?
>> Yeah, it's on Lifetime.
>> ROBIN: Huh?
>> It's on Lifetime.
>> ROBIN: Oh.
Huh.
Wonder if your brother's home.
>> Whoa.
(coughing)
>> ROBIN: I can't imagine how
my kids were treated when they
were in foster homes.
They are confused.
They are scared.
They're everything.
My son, he cries out "Mom" two
or three times a night like he
was looking for me.
>> Too hard, it's okay.
I'm tired.
>> ROBIN: It's really hard to
hear your kids suffer.
So I didn't ask the kids about
how their foster homes were.
That stuff will come out when
they're ready to talk about it.
>> Hi, Mom.
>> ROBIN: Hey.
>> Hey.
>> ROBIN: How was school?
>> Good.
>> ROBIN: Take your jacket off.
There's a burrito there for you.
So what did you do today?
>> Learned how to subtract and
add.
>> ROBIN: Mm...
>> What?
>> ROBIN: Pop.
>> Oh.
Add fractions.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And in Social Studies we
made a poster of the pioneers,
and the plains, and everything.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
Is it nice outside?
>> Not really.
>> ROBIN: Do you have any
homework?
>> We're supposed to finish the
booklet.
>> ROBIN: Did you?
>> Kind of.
I figured out the topic.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And I figured out what I
wanted about it and everything.
>> ROBIN: Did you ask your
friends for any of their numbers
so you can...
>> They're busy.
>> ROBIN: They're busy?
Did you make any friends?
>> Uh-uh.
>> ROBIN: Did you talk to
people?
>> No, not really.
>> ROBIN: So you didn't make
any friends?
>> No, I don't know.
>> ROBIN: You have dishes
tonight.
>> I do?
>> ROBIN: Yes, you do.
Garbage.
>> Oh, I'm bad at that.
>> ROBIN: I want you to go to
bed early because I have
to study.
>> All right.
I love you.
>> ROBIN: Goodnight.
I love you.
>> Goodnight, Mom.
>> ROBIN: Oh god.
I'm so busy.
I feel lost.
>> All right.
So let's start with one through
11, all B.
And 12 is A.
>> ROBIN: Um, gosh.
I'm sorry.
>> Have you taken the test yet?
>> ROBIN: Um, have I?
No.
>> You're going to have to wait
outside until we're finished
going over it.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Come back quarter to four?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Thanks.
Holy.
>> So 12 is A because the wife
is the ***.
She sees herself sexualized,
sexually, this guy wants her.
>> ROBIN: The clock is ticking
on school and I've dug myself
into a really big hole again.
I'm having a hard time managing
all of my responsibilities with
my kids and school.
The only time I have to study is
when my kids are sleeping.
(sighing)
I don't know how I'm going to do
it.
Yes.
But I have to.
>> Well, thank you for letting
me know.
>> Yeah.
>> In the future, let me know
what's going on.
>> Oh, okay.
>> And I feel for you, but at
the same time, you're going
to need to keep up.
>> Yeah.
>> You know what I mean?
And if you have stuff, come talk
to me, okay?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> All right.
Hey, Robin.
>> ROBIN: Hello.
Um...
I haven't been here 'cause I've
been fighting a really bad
custody battle and I got my kids
all of a sudden.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: So I had to get them
registered for classes.
>> Mm-hmm.
Yup.
>> ROBIN: So, um, I need to
figure out how to get caught up.
>> I want to work with you.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Just like any other student.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> You know?
And, um, I'm glad you're
talking to me today.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Bottom line is, from an
academic standpoint, I gotta be
fair too.
You know what I mean?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So, um, what I'm going to ask
you to do is probably schedule
some time in my office.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> So we can go over things
you've missed and, um, have you
been able to get the notes from
anybody?
>> ROBIN: Um, I can get them.
>> 'Cause there's some important
stuff on the horizon here we're
working with.
And I have some handouts I'm
going to need to get you too.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: All right.
>> All right.
>> ROBIN: Thanks.
>> Thank you.
Those of you that were gone on
Monday...
>> ROBIN: It's so hectic.
It's so hard.
(sighing)
>> Mom?
>> ROBIN: Yes?
>> What are you doing?
>> ROBIN: I'm studying.
I have a test coming up.
>> For what?
>> ROBIN: Social work.
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: I'm going to make the
system work.
Make the families work.
Try to, anyway.
>> What if they don't want to?
>> ROBIN: Then that's a choice
they make, but I'm going to help
them.
>> Well, what if the parents
absolutely can't get along?
You know, like you and Dad?
They can't even look at each
other?
>> ROBIN: Oh.
You know, Dar, there's parents
who want to try to get along,
they just don't know how.
And, you know when Social
Services took you guys from me,
if I wasn't as strong in my
sobriety as I was at the time,
and as determined as I was to
get you back home here...
>> Yeah?
>> ROBIN: I would have given up
and started drinking.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: I would have.
And not once did Social Services
offer anything, Darian, that
could help us.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN (crying): And not once
did I get a call saying: "Robin,
what can we do to help bring
your kids home?"
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: On Christmas, I was
shopping for you, not knowing
when you were going to get to
see it and when I was going to
get to give it to you.
And not once did I get to hold
you and tell you, "Darian, I
love you.
Darian, it's going to be okay."
I prayed for you every single
night.
So what if Mom would have got to
do that to you, huh?
Look at me, my girl.
Come here.
If I would have just been able
to do this.
And tell you, "Baby girl, it's
okay to cry.
It's okay.
It's okay to be all snotty.
(laughing)
It's okay, Darian."
>> So what happens if you don't
pass the test?
>> ROBIN: I don't know, but I
gotta figure out a way to cheat
on this sucker.
(laughing)
>> Oh my gosh, Mom.
I cheat.
>> ROBIN: Cheating's never
good.
Don't you ever cheat!
>> Sure.
Never ever, Mom.
(phone ringing)
>> ROBIN: Hello?
>> Hello?
>> ROBIN: Hey, where the hell
have you been?
>> Oh, I was really busy.
>> ROBIN: Oh.
Auntie tell you who I hooked up
with?
>> No.
>> ROBIN: Darren Spoon.
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
He's tiny and I met him through
his mom.
>> Oh, really?
>> ROBIN: It was just supposed
to be, you know, a
wham-bam-thank you, ma'am.
>> (laughing)
>> ROBIN: But...
>> Oh, okay.
>> ROBIN: Pretty soon on his
Facebook page it said "in a
relationship."
>> Technology, hmm?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
So my face is pasted on
Darren's Facebook.
So then I guess I'm in a
relationship.
(laughing)
>> Oh, jeez.
>> ROBIN: He drives from Canada
to Fargo.
>> Really?
>> ROBIN: He's my little
Canadian man.
>> Oh, okay.
>> ROBIN: I don't know if
you've seen him.
He's got glasses.
And he's tiny.
(laughing)
>> ROBIN: Darren's not coming
until 9:00, 10:00.
I'm going to be getting ready
soon.
>> You nervous?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
Oh my gosh.
He's here.
>> Okay, talk to you later.
>> ROBIN: Bye.
>> Good morning, Robin.
>> ROBIN: You got here early.
>> Check it out.
>> ROBIN: Oh my god.
>> Take one.
>> ROBIN: Take one?
(laughing)
>> Or you could take all of
them if you want.
>> ROBIN: Hm...
This is nice.
>> Yeah.
You might need to shine them up
a little bit.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> That ring might fit you.
But I wanted you to have the
other one.
Because of the, you know...
>> ROBIN: The D?
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: D for Darren?
>> It's one of those things
with...
>> ROBIN: Whoa.
So, claiming me pretty quick
here, huh?
(laughing)
>> ROBIN: Darren is 38, short,
romantic.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Not the type I've
dated in the past.
I can just get it sized down?
>> Yeah, whatever.
Try the other one on.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
This one?
>> Yeah, beautiful.
>> ROBIN: It's going to look
like a wedding ring, I'm really
going to have explaining to do.
>> Not if you wear it on that
finger.
>> ROBIN: Yes.
>> I really love you.
>> ROBIN: Oh, it's too damn
early.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: He's so nice.
Lord of the Rings?
He's a child protection worker
and studied a little bit of law.
>> Did you want this one then?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Yeah, you know, wear the
ring around your neck.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
It fits though.
>> You know, I want you to wear
my ring.
I really like you.
>> ROBIN: I'll have to get it
sized down.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: There you go.
>> Actually, I love you.
And, you know...
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Huh?
But you like them?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Yeah?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
Yup.
There you go.
Yup, great.
>> What's this?
>> ROBIN: You can wear that
one.
>> I can wear this one?
>> ROBIN: I want you to have
that one.
>> Mm...
I feel a little overdressed now.
I love you, honey.
>> ROBIN: I'm so happy that
you're here.
>> Yeah?
>> ROBIN: But I have so much
studying to do.
>> Oh yeah, you have that
sociology test, right?
>> ROBIN: Tomorrow.
And I am in trouble in school.
>> You look so beautiful.
(kiss)
(birds squawking)
(radio theme music playing)
>> From NPR News, this is "All
Things Considered."
>> In Fargo, North Dakota,
rising flood waters broke a
record that has stood for more
than a century.
The Red River is now a few
inches above the 40 foot crest
of 1897.
FEMA's acting administrator
Nancy Warden was touring the
area today and promised federal
support to flood relief efforts.
Authorities laid out dry areas
of the city where people would
be allowed to return.
>> ROBIN: Hm...
We had to evacuate
Fargo-Moorhead for five days.
I didn't have school because of
the flooding and took my kids
back to the reservation
immediately.
A lot's been going on in the
past month.
Darian has court coming up for
the federal charges against her
dad.
I'm really, really scared about
that for her.
I don't want her to regress
from all of the progress she's
made since she came home.
My son Anthony...
it hurts to see him suffer.
(Anthony crying)
>> ROBIN: And to not be able to
comfort him.
Anthony has a hard time not
being able to see his dad.
He is sad and has a lot of anger
built up inside of him.
>> This stupid thing.
>> ROBIN: Last night my son was
angry again.
He was looking for somebody to
blame for that anger he carries
with him, missing his dad.
>> Hm...
>> ROBIN: I told him, your dad
touched your sister in a bad
way.
>> Whoa.
>> ROBIN: She'd never lie about
your dad like that.
He looked at Darian, he told
her, "So it's your fault I can't
see my dad!"
Darian started crying.
I said, "None of this is your
sister's fault.
Your dad's sick right now."
And he said, "Mom, if I...
what if I get sick like my dad?
Are you going to lock me up and
forget about me too?"
(sighs)
And I told him, "Anthony,"
I said, "I've... I never forget
about you."
He also said, "Well, you did
when we weren't here."
I told him that everything I did
when they were gone was to get
them back.
To bring them home and that
every moment of every day they
weren't with me, I thought about
them.
And he was still walking, and he
was still hollering at me, and
he told me, "Okay, Mom, well, if
you want to hear that it's my
dad's fault, I'll tell you
that."
>> What?
>> ROBIN: Anthony, look at me.
>> No.
Shut up, Mom.
>> ROBIN: And we kept on
walking...
>> Leave me alone.
>> ROBIN: Without looking back.
That way.
(water splashes)
Anthony.
>> Uh-uh.
>> ROBIN: Look at me.
>> Yeah?
>> ROBIN: Wet.
>> Wet and soggy.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Ha, saved my life.
(water splashes)
>> ROBIN: Hoa.
You know what, son?
>> What?
>> ROBIN: All of that anger
that you feel, all of that
confusion.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: Come here, I'll show
you something.
Okay?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: I want you to say,
"It's okay to be mad."
>> It's okay to be mad?
>> ROBIN: I want you to grab
it, I want you to throw it out
there as far and as hard as you
can.
>> Hold these, please.
>> ROBIN: Hoa.
(water splashes)
>> Okay.
(sighing)
>> ROBIN: I want you to say,
"I miss my dad."
>> I miss my dad.
Sweet!
(water splashes)
>> ROBIN: Now throw one way
over there.
>> Oh, okay.
>> ROBIN: "I love my dad."
>> I love my dad.
(water splashes)
This is cool.
>> ROBIN: Here.
"I forgive my dad."
>> I forgive my dad.
Oh.
(water splashes)
(clears throat)
I love my mom.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
(water splashes)
Hoa.
That's a big splash.
>> I love my sister.
(water splashes)
Whoa.
>> ROBIN: How about you?
>> I love myself.
(water splashes)
>> ROBIN: Well, we better go.
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: Okay, let's go.
>> Mm-hmm.
Mom, when we get home can you
help me?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> With math and everything?
>> ROBIN: Of course.
>>Thanks.
(train horn blaring)
(groaning)
(sighing)
>> ROBIN: Jeremy?
>> Hello?
>> ROBIN: Hey.
>> Hey, Robin.
How you doing?
>> ROBIN: Good.
Good, good.
>> Been a little bit.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
It's been...
Yeah, I decided that I have to,
um, put school on hold.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: And everything, um.
Karen, I spoke with Karen and
she said I could possibly
salvage that class, which is
amazing news.
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: And I'm so grateful
that she's willing to do that
for me.
>> Uh-huh.
Yeah, I, you know, when I hadn't
seen you for awhile, I figured
something might have happened.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Um, well, I mean, there's...
are you okay?
I mean, are you doing all right,
or...
>> ROBIN: I'm good.
I'm tired this morning.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: I had a hard night.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: With my son.
>> Okay.
Like you're going to put school
on hold for a little bit.
How long are you thinking?
>> ROBIN: Two years...
at the least.
I can't do school because my
kids need me too much.
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: At home.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: To help them through
all of this, so.
>> Mmm.
>> ROBIN: Um...
>> Well, let me just say, and I
know, you know, you obviously
have a plan you're putting in
place here.
And you have a vision of what
you want to achieve, and from
what I understand, and from what
I remember, Robin, part of that
vision is finishing school.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So that you could take on a
position and have the skills and
knowledge to be able to really
make some systemic changes.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> On the reservation.
And there's no doubt in my mind
that you're going to continue to
help people.
Uh, because that's the kind of
person you are.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
Okay.
>> And, so don't lose sight of
that.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Okay.
Um, well, I mean, I'm still
your academic advisor.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> So when anything comes up,
you know regarding academics, or
you want to look at taking a
course, or getting back in
full-time.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Please, please, please, stop
in.
Give me a call, shoot me an
e-mail, all right?
>> ROBIN: All right.
That sounds good.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Thanks.
>> Yup.
>> ROBIN: Bye.
Bye.
My kids need me.
(Native American music
playing)
>> ROBIN: With court coming up,
I hope Darian gets through it
okay.
It's really, really hard time.
She has a good idea of what's
going to happen, but there's a
big difference between what's
going to happen and the way we
think about what's going to
happen and what really happens
in that courtroom.
You know?
How she's going to react to
seeing her dad after not seeing
him for four months and tell a
bunch of strangers, "You know
what, my dad molested me."
You know, how's she going
to handle that?
You know?
It's going to be hard, and all
we can do is pray.
Everything that's going on with
court and stuff is just, um,
when we went and we visited the
courtroom Darian said,
about her dad, "This
is what he has to go through,
the consequences for decisions
he made."
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: And hopefully he'll
learn not to mess with little
girls.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: The FBI told me Darian
and Jodie will testify on
Monday.
Wednesday, the trial will be
over.
And what really gets to me is,
Anthony's at the reservation
telling people, "Oh, that's
another Anthony Charboneau,"
because there is a lot of
Anthony Charboneaus.
My son is like the... fourth.
He's the fourth, fourth Anthony
Charboneau.
(horn honking)
>> When there's a federal trial
for a *** assault that
happened on the reservation,
there's a stigma about it.
In this case, Robin's ex-husband
Anthony's family don't want
everyone to know what he did to
both these girls.
They're saying that the trial
is a custody battle and not
about the *** abuse of a
minor.
And they're letting Robin take
the blame for everything.
They're saying that Robin's
putting Darian up to it.
>> I knew that the defense was
going to make the primary issue
of the case about custody.
It was going to be a custody
issue from start to finish for
them.
And if they could convince a
jury that Robin had put her
child and the foster child up to
disclosing the *** abuse,
they were going to be able to
convince a jury that this was
just one big custody battle
hoax.
The primary counter to that
was going to be Robin's daughter
explaining to the jury that she
did not want to live with Robin.
How could they believe that a
child, the defendant's own
daughter, who takes the stand
and says, "I would rather go
live with dad"-- even today,
"I'd rather live with my dad, as
long as he would stop touching
me"-- how could they believe
that that child could be
manipulated to lie?
So this would show the custody
issue was a non-issue.
>> ROBIN: Darian was scared to
testify.
She said, "Mom, I don't think I
can do this.
Dad's going to be there."
How are you doing?
So I had Darian make us lunch.
>> Are you all right, Mom?
>> ROBIN: While waiting...
Yeah.
For the FBI to bring us to
court.
When we were waiting to testify
that day, they had us in a
little room.
How are you doing?
Just me and Darian by ourselves.
>> All right.
>> ROBIN: And Anthony's family
would put their head up to the
glass door, which was frosted,
and try to peek at us in there,
try to intimidate us.
Yeah.
I told the FBI, 'cause when I
had to go testify, I didn't want
my daughter in that room by
herself.
>> Oh my god.
>> ROBIN: So they brought Darian
to another room downstairs with
an FBI agent.
>> When Robin's daughter took
the stand, we cleared out the
courtroom, and the first few
moments she was on the stand,
she actually looked over at her
father and smiled.
And what went through my head at
that moment was "I sure hope
the jury doesn't take that the
wrong way."
You know, you've got a girl
taking the stand, she's talking
about what her father did to
her, it doesn't mean that she
doesn't still have feelings or
care for her father.
She gave that look, that smile
of "Hello, Dad."
When it came to
the portion of her testimony
when she would actually talk
about the, the abuse, she again
got really quiet.
Extremely quiet, started crying,
and it wasn't a hysterical cry,
it was a, just a steady cry, her
eyes got red, the tears were
flowing, she had a hard time
clearing her throat to talk.
And when she actually talked
about what her father was doing,
she looked over, and there was a
pause in the trial, when she
looked over at Anthony, and I
took notice of that only
because while I was looking at
her, I could see the jury
looking over at Anthony
Charboneau.
I too then looked, and Anthony
was looking straight ahead.
He wasn't looking at his
daughter.
She had these tears flowing from
her eyes, she was saying what
happened to her, she looks over
at her father, at that point,
and he's looking straight ahead.
No emotion on his face, stone
cold, just staring straight
ahead.
I turned it over to the defense,
and of course the first thing
they did was go back to two
girls, delayed disclosures in
each, no physical evidence, no
injury to speak of, just a very
difficult case to win.
All of this just compounds on
top of one another when you
consider all of Robin's issues
in the background.
>> ROBIN: That's my dad.
Arlen.
There is no way in hell I am
going to face that man again.
If I do, it's not going to be
good for him.
I'm pissed off that he's on the
defense side.
>> When Arlen French testified,
he indicated that eight months
prior to trial, Robin's daughter
had told him that she made up
these allegations against her
father.
On cross-examination, I brought
out that Arlen never told
anybody this.
And suddenly on the day of
trial, he says, "She told me she
lied."
Later on, Arlen's wife Donna
French testified that Robin's
daughter had told her that she
wished her mother hadn't told
her to make these allegations
against her father.
When Donna was questioned the
week before, she didn't know
what Robin's daughter meant by
that statement, whether she was
told to tell a lie or she was
just concerned that Mom made her
tell the law enforcement
authorities the truth about what
happened.
When I pointed that out on
cross-examination of Donna, it
was clear on the stand that she
was absolutely biased against
Robin.
She did not want Robin to have
the children, and she believed
that Anthony Charboneau was the
best parent.
>> She lied to the court.
Yeah, she's over there.
She's got to be freaking out.
(Darian crying)
>> She is crazy.
>> ROBIN: My ex-husband has a
lot of support here.
He's got a big family.
And Darian and Jodie have me.
Darian, she broke down.
She started crying.
But you know what, she did
testify that her dad molested
her.
And, as far as I know, Darian
did very well.
(Darian crying)
>> ROBIN: But I am prepared for
a not guilty verdict.
I am prepared for another dirty
custody battle.
And I am prepared for my kids to
go back to their dad.
(Native American music
playing)
>> ROBIN: The second day of the
trial I had no idea what was
going to happen.
The defense attorney, Anthony's
lawyer, he asked me if I was in
treatment before for drug and
alcohol abuse, and I told him,
"Yes, I'm a recovering alcoholic
in and out of the psych wards
dealing with my own skeletons of
*** abuse."
Then he asked me, "When Jodie
started talking about her abuse,
weren't you involved in a
disputed custody battle?"
I said, "Yes."
"Didn't the custody battle... it
start before Darian came out and
told you about what her dad was
doing?"
I was like, "No, it didn't."
I said, "The custody happened
after my daughter came out and
disclosed to me what happened."
And then the prosecuting
attorney said there was no
motive for Jodie to come out and
say Anthony was molesting her
five, six years ago.
>> When Robin's foster daughter
took the stand, my thoughts
were, she could make or break
this case.
My concerns were her not wanting
to testify against the person
she once loved.
And she did really well.
She stayed pretty consistent
with everything that she had
indicated to the FBI.
I was worried when the defense
took over the cross-examination.
Maybe she buckles.
Says nothing really happened.
But the more they tried to get
her to buckle, she became that
much stronger.
She actually spoke up a little
bit more.
A little bit of the childlike
features kind of fell away.
Not completely, but it fell away
enough to where the jury was
seeing this girl wasn't
going to be bullied by a strong-
arm approach.
So the defense ended their
cross-examination.
When we began closing arguments,
I turned it over to the defense,
and of course the first thing
they did was go back to the
lies, the manipulations all
centering around Robin.
And they lost credibility with
the jury.
Once they finished, I did my
rebuttal.
I pointed out all the
similarities between Robin's
daughter and the foster child.
There were many.
The age, they were both around
13 years of age when the
assaults took place.
The manner in which he touched
them, with the exception that
the foster child testified that
she had been penetrated by
Anthony.
The manner in which he worked up
to it was similar.
His approach to them in telling
them not to tell anyone.
With the foster child, he tells
her, "Don't tell anyone" after
the incident is ended.
With his own daughter, who, at
the time when he commits this
crime and she's in tears and
she's crying, he tells her,
"Wipe your tears away and calm
down before you leave the room
so that your stepmother doesn't
start wondering what we're doing
in here.
Doesn't see what happened,
doesn't start asking any
questions."
I wanted to paint all of that
for the jury, which I did.
And when I was finished, the
jury appeared to be very
receptive.
And I took my seat as the jury
was allowed to leave and then we
silently walked out of the room.
>> ROBIN: When we left the
courthouse, there was no
verdict.
I don't even know what to hope
for.
Whatever the verdict is, I
think of my kids and how they're
going to be affected by it.
My ex-husband is a
sweet-talking, manipulative man.
I'm pissed off at him for
putting my daughter up on stand
in front of all these people.
Letting Jodie believe that he
was in love with her.
He put that on those two little
girls.
>> The jury deliberated for four
hours.
After that, the clerk read their
verdict.
It was a conviction on both
counts.
Anthony Charboneau and his
family were in a shock-like
state when that verdict is read.
And suddenly somebody,
inevitably, starts crying.
Later on, the final act in this
whole production was to have
somebody go over and tell Robin
and her daughter their verdict.
>> ROBIN: They told us we have
two counts of guilty for ***
abuse of a minor.
Anthony could get up to 13
months for one count and three
years for another.
Three years for Jodie.
Because it was worse than the
touching he did to Darian.
>> Oh my gosh!
You have that?
>> Yeah.
>> That's like years.
>> ROBIN: This is the first time
Darian and Jodie have been
together since Jodie was a
foster kid.
>> Oh my gosh.
I remember these.
>> Uh-huh.
>> These got some years on them.
>> Yeah, that, I don't know what
got on them.
>> Where'd you get them?
Or where... how long...
why'd you keep them?
>> I don't know.
Because they were yours.
>> Oh, and these ones.
>> And your moon ones.
>> And the moon ones.
Oh, I remember these.
They look fabulous.
>> Yes.
>> Let me see.
(laughing)
Oh.
(laughing)
>> Are you leaving soon?
>> Yeah.
Are we going to your concert?
>> Yeah.
(humming)
>> ROBIN: I'm so glad Anthony
was found guilty, but you know
what?
Custody of my kids is another
issue.
Anthony and I still have joint
legal custody, so I have to go
back to the judge on the
reservation and tell her I want
sole custody.
>> I want to hear you play your
trumpet.
>> Yeah.
>> I want to hear you play
***-ba-yah.
>> ***-ba-yah.
(laughing)
>> ♪ I don't even know her
name. ♪
>> ROBIN: Too close.
>> What?
>> ROBIN: That was too close!
You can't pitch!
>> Hoa!
That's the furthest one yet.
Okay.
Are you ready?
>> ROBIN: I'm going to hit you
right in the head.
>> Right.
>> ROBIN: Catch one.
If you can.
>> Oh.
(laughing)
Oh.
That went straight out of here.
>> ROBIN: Jump, baby, jump.
You were supposed to catch that
one.
Take whatever you got.
(laughing)
When I first told the
kids that Darren and I were
getting married, Darian was so
upset, she cried.
>> Are you sure you can handle
that?
>> ROBIN: The kids, they're
still transitioning from their
dad.
They're still worried about, is
mom going to take off and drink
with this guy?
Is she going to go off and party
with him?
>> Whoa.
Let's take a break.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
Maybe she's going to come home
and I'm going to see black and
blue eyes on her face, because
that's what my kids seen before.
>> You try to fight me all the
time.
>> ROBIN: But I think the kids
will be fine with Darren...
>> You're going to be all right.
>> ROBIN: ...because he's an
affectionate man.
He's an amazing man.
>> You're going to be fine.
I'll take care of you.
>> ROBIN: You can't even take
care of yourself.
>> I can.
>> ROBIN: You cannot.
I'm teaching you how.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> ROBIN: You'll be okay when
you grow up.
>> Catch this ball.
>> ROBIN: Turning you into the
man you always wanted to be.
I love him very, very much.
And I plan on getting married.
Let's go!
I'm thirsty.
We just gotta make sure we know
each other before we say "I do."
Let's go before I hurt you.
>> You want me to crack your
back?
>> ROBIN: Want me to crack your
***?
>> Oh.
(laughing)
Do you want me to crack your
back?
>> ROBIN: Knock it off.
(train horn blaring)
>> ROBIN: I'm scared until my
ex-husband Anthony is sentenced.
I know what he is capable of.
I've had his hands around my
neck, choking me, telling me how
everyone's life would be better
off if I was dead.
Hmm...
I'm not going to stick around
here.
Anthony knows where I live,
so we're going to move five
hours away to International
Falls, closer to Darren's
reservation in Canada.
♪ ♪
♪ In the summer,
when the grass is green
♪ All around you
♪ You're as pretty as the light
of the morning sky
♪ And you know that I could
never live without you
♪ You're a dream come true, and
with you I feel high. ♪
(Robin sighing)
>> ROBIN: Well, we made it to
International Falls with all of
our stuff.
Moving to the Falls, I've
gotten away from money that I
owe for a vehicle loan and
medical bills for the kids.
I've kept a low profile here.
So nobody got my number.
And the other thing is that I
got a job here in the Falls.
I'm a supervised visit
coordinator for the Friends
Against Abuse.
(phone ringing)
>> Good afternoon, Friends
Against Abuse.
>> ROBIN: Everything I've gone
through...
>> Where's your husband right
now?
>> ROBIN: I've brought with me
to this job.
>> Do you have any family here?
Can you go there?
>> ROBIN: One of the things that
I like about my position is
helping dysfunctional families
when visiting their children.
>> Good.
And everything seems to be
fine?
>> ROBIN: And that's what my
kids want right now is to visit
and see their dad.
So my job here is listening in
on the phone calls.
Huh.
And supervising the visits.
It's nice to be in here.
Hey, LeeAnn.
>> Hi, Robin.
How are you today?
>> ROBIN: Good.
>> Good.
See you got your new schedule.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> We are filling up with the
visits and I wanted to check
with you on a couple times.
Are you available on a
Saturday?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Three to five.
It won't be every weekend, but
that is the time when the family
needs the help.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Okay?
We're going to plug you in then
on the 11th.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> And then I might have you
help with Mary picking up a
couple more because the hours
are being used up.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So I wanted to do an evening
on Saturday.
>> ROBIN: My job here is
part-time.
Ten hours a week.
Not enough money to cover the
rent, but I like the job.
>> And just finalize those.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> And I wanted to comment to
you also, the documentation.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Great job on that.
I got that over to the county
and things, that's working
really well.
>> ROBIN: All right.
>> And, uh, the forms, how are
you working... are those...
>> ROBIN: Those I'm still
working on.
I did the corrections on the
typos, but I was going to do up
the child refusal form.
>> Good.
>> ROBIN: When I applied for
this job, my boss LeeAnn asked
me, do you have professional
training?
I said, "I lived in a foster
home.
I was battered, I struggled with
the judicial system, I'm a
professional at this."
>> So let's go ahead and get
those and I know Mary's looking
at them as well.
We'll finalize those.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Get those in the forms and
then we're good to go.
Okay?
>> ROBIN: All right.
>> Great.
>> ROBIN: Sounds good.
>> Okay, thanks Robin.
>> Darian!
Hurry up!
Darian!
>> ROBIN: Darian, she hasn't
made any girlfriends here.
She's out hanging with the boys
that are older.
So that gets me worried.
Is there something going on
here?
It's like, stay away from my
daughter!
And my son.
What are you guys going to try
to teach him?
>> You'll make me crash!
>> ROBIN: Fireworks at ten
tonight.
>> Mom, we can stay there a
couple hours, right?
>> ROBIN: Yes.
>> Like two, three hours?
>> ROBIN: Yup.
Anthony, I need to talk to your
sister for a few minutes, so you
need to leave.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: She's in trouble.
>> She is?
>> ROBIN: Nope.
>> Just go.
>> Okay, good.
>> Hurry up or I'm going to
smash you down the stairs.
>> ROBIN: Go hang with your
friends.
>> What if they're gone?
>> ROBIN: Go.
We need to talk about your
personal boundaries.
>> Mom, it can wait.
>> ROBIN: It can't wait.
Well, let's just...
>> No, I don't want to!
>> ROBIN: Get it out of the way.
(clears throat)
Well, you're 13.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: And you're starting
to become a woman.
>> No.
>> ROBIN: No?
>> No.
>> ROBIN: And you know what?
>> What?
>> ROBIN: All those things, all
those things that you think
about, all those little
interests that you have.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: Those are all okay.
But your personal space is
yours.
Nobody should be touching you in
them, your private parts.
Nobody should be, be kissing
you on the lips.
Okay?
You can kiss them on the cheek.
A quick peck.
Hugging.
A nice quick hug is okay.
Holding on to them, that just
puts you at risk again.
Okay?
'Cause you're getting *** now.
And your body's starting to
change, my girl.
So we don't want, you just
gotta watch where you put your
stuff.
Okay?
(Darian sniffling)
I don't even know how to, this
is really hard to talk to you
about.
You know, everybody wants to be
loved, and hugged and kissed and
held and stuff, and that's okay.
Everybody does.
(Darian crying)
But there are certain ways that
we can show our affection for
people, and there are certain
ways that we can't.
It's hard growing up.
You okay?
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: And I just don't want
you to get hurt no more, that's
all, Darian.
(Darian sniffling)
Because you know what, Darian?
That happens so much with kids
that have had that happen to
them.
You know what?
'Cause once those boundaries are
broken, it confuses us up in
here.
We don't know what's...
where to stop.
>> Mm...
(sniffling)
>> ROBIN: Okay?
>> No.
(sirens blaring)
>> ROBIN: My ex-husband Anthony
Charboneau often discussed with
our daughter Darian things about
my *** relations with other
men.
I realize now, Your Honor, the
grooming he was doing to her.
Darian has been in counseling as
a result of the *** abuse she
suffered at the hands of her
dad.
In the past year since she told
me of the abuse, she had to
transfer schools four times,
move four times.
This has caused her and my son
a lot of emotional pain.
(sighing)
I realize in writing the victim
impact statement, nobody has
ever been a father figure to my
kids other than their dad.
I think what he did with Jodie
triggered in me the insecurity
of, what if it happens again?
What if Darian is molested
again?
So, when Darian said to me,
"Mom, I'm building a
relationship with Darren,"
that triggered in me, what if
Darian is molested by Darren?
>> Ooh, the water's cold.
Darren?
>> Ah, cold.
>> Are you okay?
>> This is cold, eh?
>> Hi, Darren.
>> It's not bad.
>> Did you fall in again?
Trying to catch minnows?
>> Mm-hmm.
I don't know what kind.
Woo hoo!
(laughing)
Hey, honey!
Look it!
(laughing)
Darian, look at me!
>> Oh my god.
>> ROBIN: Darren is just
ridiculous.
Swinging his hair around and
flexing his pecs.
(laughing)
He's too sexy for himself.
(Darian and Darren laughing)
>> Knock it off!
>> ROBIN: Darren has not done
anything at all to make me think
that he would do anything to
Darian.
>> Darian?
You bring the shampoo?
>> ROBIN: It's just the
aftermath of having your child
abused.
But at the same time I have to
recognize, anything's possible.
>> We should hit the road now.
>> Mm-hmm.
(train horn blaring)
(Darian singing in Sioux
language)
>> Honey?
>> ROBIN: Uh-huh?
>> If immigration gives you any
trouble about the kids not
having any passports...
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Just tell them they're going
to camp in Canada.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> I just want you guys to be
happy being up there.
>> ROBIN: Mm...
My kids'll like it.
>> Mm-hmm.
I know it'll be a bit of a ride,
but you know, having you closer
to me is just...
>> ROBIN: We can make the other
room into a bedroom.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Take the...
>> And it's only an hour away,
so...
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> That's a big plus for us.
You know, I want you guys to be
happy there.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Might be selfish of me, but,
I need you there.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> You know I love you.
>> ROBIN: I love you.
>> Everything going to be fine
once we cross the border and get
to Canada.
>> ROBIN: God, I hope so.
>> We just need to fix up my
dad's old house.
>> ROBIN: Yup.
>> I gotta go to work.
>> ROBIN: I'll tell the kids
that we're going to Canada now.
You two are going to have to
stay alone.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Darren's going to meet
me at the border to give me some
money to pay the bills.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Mom, I'm going to stay here,
play with my friends.
>> ROBIN: All right.
We're going to be moving to
Seine River in a couple weeks.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: And when we move to
Canada, we have to work on
Darren's house.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: And we're going to
have more responsibilities.
Chores.
I have to teach you guys new
boundaries.
And we need a code word as to
when somebody's around you and
you feel uncomfortable...
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: ...and you don't want
them around you or if you don't
like the way they're looking at
you.
>> Hm...
>> ROBIN: When you guys get that
uncomfortable feeling, we need
to come up with a code word
that's going to tell me, "Hey,
get over here, I don't feel
safe."
Okay?
And that word is not to be used
as a joke.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Okay?
>> Can it be a sentence or just
a word?
>> ROBIN: Just a word.
>> Red hand!
>> ROBIN: Red hand?
>> Yeah, red hand.
>> ROBIN: Red hand?
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Mom, I don't want to go to
Canada.
>> There's nothing to do there.
>> ROBIN: You'll hurt Darren's
feelings saying things like
that.
>> Mm...
>> Look, there's Canada!
>> I'd rather die right here.
>> Why would you want to die
right here?
>> 'Cause then I wouldn't be
living in Canada.
>> So, if you got to choose,
Fort Francis or Seine River,
which one?
>> Hm...
>> Fort Francis.
>> Yeah.
Closer to International Falls.
>> Yeah.
Closer to Canada...
or United States.
Closer to get out of Canada.
>> Mm...
>> I don't like their school in
Seine River.
>> Yeah, I want to go to school
here.
That way you could go all the
way down to North Dakota and you
could watch a baseball game.
>> Minnesota Twins.
Canada has hockey.
>> Yeah.
>> And it's football in North
Dakota too.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Want to pick some flowers for
Mom?
>> Yeah, sure.
(Native American music
playing)
(music continues)
>> ROBIN: Darren's reservation
is the Seine River First Nation.
It's so isolated.
There's only one road in and one
road out.
It's a really, really small
reservation, with about 600
enrolled members.
Darren's house is in pretty
rough shape.
The floor is rotted out, the
pipes busted.
And the water heater is no good.
It just needs a lot of work.
>> I hate Canada.
>> It's boring.
>> Like you, I know.
>> I'm not boring!
>> You are too!
You sit in your bed all the
time!
>> Ew!
(laughing)
>> ROBIN: Darian?
Get off of him now.
(laughing)
>> Darian can't find me!
Oh gosh, you got a bony butt.
>> Shut up.
>> You know there's a board
sticking out there.
>> ROBIN: Mm...
>> I took a break.
I was going to clean this up,
but you have that board sticking
out there.
Pissed off at myself for not
getting the angle right.
>> ROBIN: Darian, don't go over
there.
>> Why?
>> ROBIN: 'Cause I don't want
you falling through.
>> Darian, this is how you do
this.
I need to finish what we knocked
down so I can nail the rest
against the wall.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> So there's no big gaps.
>> ROBIN: You need a new door, a
new toilet.
>> I can do it!
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
Darren is not a handy man at
all.
>> Hm...
>> ROBIN: He didn't even know if
the water heater was working or
not.
I know about fixing houses.
I've helped my ex-husband do it
a lot.
That water's coming from there.
>> Where?
>> ROBIN: From the window.
>> Where?
>> ROBIN: I don't know.
>> Oh!
>> ROBIN: But it was coming from
there.
>> Hm...
You know there's a board
sticking out there.
>> ROBIN: It's going to take
some time to get through it.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> ROBIN: Darian, it's going to
be two bedrooms.
>> I know, but...
>> ROBIN: One for you and one
for Anthony.
>> (groaning)
I hate this!
>> ROBIN: Darren can help you
hang that drywall up.
>> Ah, this is hard!
I don't...
>> ROBIN: I don't know if we can
get that drywall up.
>> We can put, I can put, um...
>> ROBIN: Does it have to be
done right now?
>> No, but...
>> ROBIN: We can wait until
Darren comes.
>> I'm sick of Canada!
>> ROBIN: So wave your magic
wand and make this all just nice
and clean.
>> Ugh!
Whatever.
(banging)
>> ROBIN: So you like the
blankets?
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Is that the colors you
want on your room?
Huh?
>> Yeah.
Red, white and blue.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
Black?
>> Uh-uh.
I want red, white and blue.
>> ROBIN: Red, white and blue?
>> To remind me of America.
>> ROBIN: It reminds you of
what?
>> America.
>> ROBIN: America?
>> Since I'm not going to go
back there, pretty much.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Are we going to go to that
meeting?
>> ROBIN: No.
Would be nice, but we can't
afford it.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Just costs too much
money.
>> We should've just saved that
$30.
>> ROBIN: Huh?
>> We should've just bought a
little bit of groceries.
>> ROBIN: I need to save money
on gas.
>> How are you guys going to buy
stuff if you guys don't have any
money?
>> ROBIN: We have enough to get
what we need.
We left International Falls
because the hours I was getting
at work wasn't enough to cover
rent.
>> You see that?
>> ROBIN: Darren was pressuring
me, "You should move to Canada
now.
We have my dad's house.
We won't have to worry about
rent."
>> Mom, I think I should let
Darren do this.
>> ROBIN: So I just went ahead
and did it.
Despite insecurities I seen with
Darren.
Because I love him, and I
really want us to work.
>> ROBIN: Hey!
>> Eh?
>> ROBIN: Darren?
You catch fish, honey, I'm going
to eat it.
>> Yay!
Okay.
Woo hoo!
Hey, honey?
>> ROBIN: Yeah?
>> I caught a baby bass!
>> ROBIN: You caught a baby?
>> I caught a baby bass!
>> ROBIN: Bring it!
I want to see what it looks
like.
>> He's on there pretty
good too.
>> ROBIN: I want to see it!
>> Uh-huh.
Want me to bring him?
>> ROBIN: Yeah!
I want to see it!
>> You want him?
>> ROBIN: Yeah!
>> I'm bringing him to you!
>> ROBIN: Darren goes to work
every day on his reservation.
>> Darren caught the biggest
fish!
>> ROBIN: Darren is a child
protection worker.
>> Here, honey, it's for you.
>> ROBIN: He has a four-year
degree, and doesn't get paid
what he feels he's worth.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: He doesn't get that,
"Darren, you're doing such a
good job!"
Here I am with a two-
year degree, a woman, barely
three months at Friends Against
Abuse, making as much money as
Darren.
And they're telling me, "Robin,
we're so glad you're here."
Everything was going good, and
then I got offered more money at
work because they were going to
increase my hours.
Darren said, "I thought you were
going to get a work permit, so
you could work here in child
protection as a secretary, or,
we have that secretary position
open."
Which pays...
I don't, which pays what?
Eight dollars an hour?
You know what, we need my job.
I have a stable, good job that
I'm happy at, and you want me to
give that up?
>> I don't know.
It just didn't go the way I had
wanted.
I wanted it one way but Robin is
going to do what she's going to
do.
You know, I've gone through, you
know, um, a few relationships
where it didn't end all that
well and, you know, I'm
kinda haunted by stuff.
And you know, um, it's just,
it's just hard.
Hard.
I didn't, you know, I ask myself
sometimes, you know, like what
I'm doing.
You know, like holy, you know,
last year I was a single guy and
I'd get up and do whatever I
want, whenever I want, you know.
And, and to be in such a complex
thing as this where you gotta...
You gotta be there, you gotta
provide and, you know, um, it's
just a tough thing, you know.
And, you know, I try to, try to
angle stuff in my own way and,
you know, it's not always
agreeable with Robin, I know
that, you know.
>> ROBIN: That wasn't the
response I was expecting.
You know what?
We need this money.
If I go full time I could get
medical for me and my kids.
Right now we don't have
anything.
And he's like, "Well, if you
think you can commute back and
forth every day, that's fine.
I couldn't do it."
And I just blew up at him.
"Well, you know what, you're not
me."
Helping other women,
helping other children, helping
anybody in any way that I can
has always been my dream.
Right now I have to cross the
border every day to go to work.
I have to leave Darian and her
brother behind, because the
border patrol is just getting
too suspicious as to the kids.
"Do you have custody of the
kids?
Is their dad approving the kids
going across?"
I just let them
know that, "Hey, the kids are at
camp all summer, their dad is
incarcerated right now."
I'm waiting on the tribal court
to grant me sole custody so
I can get passports.
So, I'm scared that I'm going to
get busted for kidnapping.
(phone ringing)
>> Friends Against Abuse, how
can I help you?
Hi.
Get off the phone right now, I
want you to call your mom, and
make sure that everything's
okay, then call me right back,
okay?
>> ROBIN: Hey!
>> Hey, Robin.
>> ROBIN: How are you?
(train horn blaring)
>> I'm sick of Canada.
>> Yeah.
>> It's so, so boring.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Have you ever played on a
sports team?
>> Volleyball.
>> Really?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Are you good at it?
>> Eh.
Kinda.
>> Hm...
So is eighth and seventh grade
together or is it just eighth
grade and then seventh grade?
>> Yeah.
It's both.
>> They're both together?
>> Uh-huh.
>> So then I'll join in with
you.
>> Yeah.
>> Do you have like A, B, and C
teams?
>> Mmm...
>> Well, actually it's mostly A,
B teams.
>> No.
>> You don't?
>> No.
>> Is there girls' softball?
>> Um, I don't know.
>> Oh.
>> It's just all together.
>> Is it?
>> Yes.
>> Cool.
>> Yeah, so you'll be getting on
the bus up here.
>> Yeah, if our house is
actually ready by then.
>> Yeah.
(children's laughter)
>> One, two, three, Geronimo!
>> Don't tear my arm off.
>> I'll hold you like a baby.
>> What grade are you going to
be in?
>> Uh, I'm going to be in grade
nine, I just finished grade
eight this year.
So what school are you going to
next year?
>> Mine Centre.
>> You'll be in the same class
with Brandon.
>> Where's high school at?
>> Yeah, it's in Fort Francis.
>> What?
>> High school, there's a lot of
kids there, that's where I'm
going.
>> So they gotta come all the
way over here, the bus?
>> Yeah.
I know your teacher for next
year, too, Ms. McLain.
>> Oh.
>> Ms. McLain is bossy though.
Do you think schools are going
to be the same in Canada as in
the U.S.?
>> No.
In Canada, you don't have to
learn miles.
You have to learn kilometers.
>> That's true, kilometers and
miles.
>> I'm done.
I gotta go home now.
>> Okay.
I'll just go home.
I'll meet you at your house.
>> Okay.
Come on.
Hey!
I'll race you guys!
>> Okay!
(train signal ringing)
>> Hmm...
>> ROBIN: The thing with Darren
is that he's very jealous.
All of those questions.
Who's over there?
Who'd you meet?
I know it's not anything I've
done.
It's just his insecurity issues
from his past relationship.
Our relationship will be good
for, like, two weeks.
We're just all in love, and
then, all of a sudden something
will trigger his jealousy.
>> You know I got my kicked out
bag all ready, just waiting for
her to come home and say, you
know, "I'm with someone else
now.
You gotta go."
(sighing)
>> ROBIN: This time he came at
me with, "Did you meet somebody
else?"
And I'm just like, "I'm
not doing anything wrong."
Damn.
I don't talk to anybody else but
who I work with.
And with me going to
International Falls, that was
his biggest fear, you know, of
was losing me to another man,
you know, and it still is.
It's still his biggest fear.
And I just keep trying to tell
him, "You know, there is no
other man.
Darren, you are everything to
me.
(Darren sniffling)
You're everything to my kids,
you know?
I love you."
But, he gets so defensive
sometimes that it's, "Well, I
don't know what you're doing, I
don't know who's around that
corner."
You know and I'm like,
I get put on my defenses right
away, you know, when he starts
questioning me about who's this
and who's that.
And, you know, I'm like, there
is no who's this, or who's that.
It's you.
>> I try, it's just a hard thing
to deal with when you're
outright rejected.
I'm hurt and I'm mad, you know.
I'm trying to bring it out a
little more because holding it
in makes me sick.
(train horn blaring)
(birds squawking)
>> ROBIN: I want to feed that
eagle.
>> Anthony, that's mine!
>> Mom said I could cast!
>> No, he broke his!
>> I did not break it!
>> No, he broke his!
>> ROBIN: Anthony, let her fish
first.
>> Gosh!
>> Use that one.
>> That one I don't even know
how to set up!
>> Baby.
>> ROBIN: Anthony's rod is
broken.
You need to share.
>> I don't want to fish.
>> ROBIN: Well, then why don't
you let him use yours?
>> 'Cause, he breaks his.
Stupid, ugly, no good, rotten
Indian.
That's the kind you don't want
to be social with.
Go ahead, let him fish, but if
he breaks it he's buying me a
new one.
>> ROBIN: Anthony, here!
She said you can!
>> Why don't you make up your
mind, Mom?
>> ROBIN: You can use it for
five minutes, then she can.
>> Shut up and leave me alone!
Five minutes, Mom, that's only
enough for one cast!
>> ROBIN: Darian, Darren's
catching fish over there, you
better hurry up!
>> Mom, you don't ever care!
>> ROBIN: Okay, ten minutes
each.
Anthony, it's either that or
nothing.
>> Big fat ***.
>> ROBIN: Darren caught a fish
in not even five minutes.
>> What?
>> ROBIN: So you could catch
two.
>> Shut up, Mom!
(laughing)
>> That little nerd.
Mom!
>> ROBIN: She caught a fish!
Woohoo!
>> Woohoo!
I think it's a little baby!
(cheering)
>> Take it off, I want it.
I want to feed it to the eagles.
>> ROBIN: How do you get it off?
>> It looks like a perch.
>> Now it's my turn?
>> Or a baby walleye.
>> I said Darian, now it's my
turn?
>> Yeah.
>> You don't know how to fish.
Let the master teach you how.
>> ROBIN: When we moved to
Canada, one of the things we
didn't deal with right away was
school for the kids.
You can propose to me again, if
you want.
>> Sure.
>> ROBIN: For Darian and Anthony
to go to school in Canada they
needed a school permit and we
didn't have that.
Ten minutes each!
Darren found out that his tribe
would not pay for my two kids to
go to school.
Because they're not from his
reservation.
>> My ten minutes is up, Dar.
>> ROBIN: School here would've
cost $25,000, while an hour away
in the U.S. they can get school
for free.
>> You know, I was willing to do
what I could, you know, so they
can stay here till February at
least, till we can renew the
visitor record and whatnot, but
um, just didn't sound, you know,
just didn't sound like they
wanted to be here anymore.
On the reserve or anywhere in
Canada.
So, we just kinda had to...
I just kinda had to let it go.
I stopped pursuing it after, you
know, it was just kinda made
clear to me that, you know,
Robin's going to do what she's
going to do.
So Robin's moving back to the
Falls.
You know, I will miss her a lot,
and as far as the kids go, it's
going to be hard to be there
without a TV going and all their
movement inside the house.
>> Hi Robin, how are you doing?
>> ROBIN: It's just, it's not
good.
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: When I left Moorhead,
I had an outstanding debt that I
have to take care of over there
first before I can get an
apartment.
So I have to deal with that
first.
>> Okay, is that a large debt,
Robin?
>> ROBIN: I don't even know.
>> Yeah.
Well, we can help you work
through that.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> And, you know, we do have the
resources in town to at least
get you in touch with the people
that could help with that.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Cause we are very happy with
you here.
We do want to keep you.
>> ROBIN: Well, yeah, one of the
things is that we were, you had
mentioned, you know, that you
could possibly do, it went up
from the ten hours to 30, up to
full time, 40 hours a week.
>> I can see that increasing.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> In fact, in the grant I put
in I did put you up more hours
and, you know, to where there
would even be a little benefit
package that kicks in.
>> ROBIN: I'm really happy with
it.
>> Yes.
>> ROBIN: I went home that night
and I told Darren, you know
what, I...
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: These, these people
are happy with me.
>> Oh, yes.
>> ROBIN: And my hours have
increased.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: And that, that set
off, well, he just came out,
"Well, maybe you should move to
the Falls if you want to make
your life over there."
And I ended up blowing up.
>> Has it settled down, are you
able to...?
>> ROBIN: It has settled down.
>> Okay, okay.
>> ROBIN: Whatever happens
between us, it's going
to happen.
>> I'm concerned for you.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And your kids and you need to
just, what can we do here, we
will support you.
>> ROBIN: Well, I just told him,
well, you know what, if I go
full time, I could get medical
for my kids.
I said, we need the money.
There's not very much places in
Seine River, a population of
600, to work.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: And I don't know what
it is for here but I know back
home if you're not a tribal
enrolled, tribal member, you
don't get nothing.
>> Yeah.
You know, we'll support you as
best we can, we're glad you're
here.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> We want to keep you here.
>> ROBIN: And that would be nice
to just have in case, you know,
Darren and I do fall.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: I need to move back...
>> Good.
>> ROBIN: before Darian and
Anthony start school.
>> Well, good.
We can look into that.
We'll do what we can.
>> ROBIN: Great, thank you for
everything.
(drums playing march beat)
(laughing)
>> ROBIN: In August, we moved
back to the Falls.
I finally registered the kids to
start school.
Darian's playing the trumpet in
the homecoming parade.
I am so proud of her.
She's got black under her eyes
for the football game tonight.
She looks like she's about 15.
She should stay looking 12.
(cheering)
>> ROBIN: Anthony, two blocks
that way.
>> Huh?
>> ROBIN: Two blocks that way!
>> Oh yeah.
>> ROBIN: Let's get it home.
>> Get that side, so I can get
my hands under here.
>> ROBIN: Open that door!
>> I got it, I got it!
>> This is heavy!
>> ROBIN: My apartment is an
old, old duplex.
It's close to their schools so
the kids can walk.
>> Darian, I need your help!
>> ROBIN: It's got plenty of
room, a basement.
It's really going to take fixing
up.
>> Mom.
Let's go.
>> ROBIN: My boss helped me get
on housing, which will cover
most of my rent.
>>Mom can't do nothing.
>> Do it this way, Anthony.
>> ROBIN: I'm only working 20
hours a week because LeeAnn's
grant got denied.
>> I'm a black-footed Indian.
>> ROBIN: So, I'm not getting a
raise in pay.
I don't know how we're going
to get our stuff back from
Canada.
>> I'm strong enough to
do it.
>> ROBIN: Well, thanks,
guys, for helping.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> That was fun.
I think I'm allergic.
To Darian.
(laughing)
(yawning)
>> ROBIN: I don't know if
Darren's going to come tomorrow
or not.
>> He better bring my bike.
>> ROBIN: I don't think he will.
>> Why?
>> ROBIN: And I don't think
he'll bring your bike.
>> Are you fighting?
>> Did Darren leave for good
this time?
>> ROBIN: Anthony, that's
enough.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Lay down now, go to
sleep.
>> Mom, I love you.
>> Mom, goodnight.
(dogs barking)
(yawning)
>> ROBIN: I have to keep going.
I need to do what I have to do.
What I do with the kids is
chores.
I see they got the chore list
done.
Dishes, sweep floor, garbage,
laundry.
Cook supper, vacuum, living
room, rooms, dining room,
kitchen, bathroom, basement.
Rooms our own.
So, we put that on the calendar
and mark off if we've done it
and my son works really,
really good with structure.
I don't know if it's just kids
with ADHD, but once I tell him,
"Anthony, brush your hair, grab
your backpack, and go off to
school," he'll do that.
But he'll have to see a visual
list.
(humming)
>> Good morning.
Can I have your attention,
please?
Today, Wednesday, October 7th
lunch menu: Italian dunkers,
peas, coleslaw, and milk.
Thank you.
>> Dylan, get your math out.
Come on, get your math out,
Derrick.
You really shouldn't be in here
if you can't get your work done.
Hey, Anthony, Anthony, you're
going to get your math out and
work on math, right?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> What did you say?
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Do we have to take 90 into
81?
>> Well, 90 does not divide into
81, it's too high.
All right.
>> Nah uh.
>> All right, Jordan.
>> Like four and three plus
seven, it'll be four, then they
add one for five.
>> That's good.
What are you looking for,
Anthony?
>> I don't know.
>> Huh?
>> I don't know.
>> So do you need some help with
this too, hmm?
>> Um...
>> Or do you understand what's
going on?
>> I need help.
>> Why don't we take 75 times
nine and see what you get.
>> That's 45...
seven, 63.
>> Plus four.
>> Ah, 67.
>> Yup.
Is that going to work?
Can you subtract 675 from 743?
>> Mmm, nope.
Yup.
>> Yes, you can.
So, put a nine up here first
where that X is.
>> ROBIN: Anthony is up and down
in school.
>> Now underneath that, you're
going to write...
>> ROBIN: Sometimes he'll
struggle.
Sometimes he won't.
>> You can't take five from
three so you have to borrow
here.
>> ROBIN: And sometimes I'll get
disciplinary notices.
>> Is 13.
>> There, you got that one done
now.
How many, how many did he
assign for you?
>> Just to 15.
To 14?
>> 15.
>> ROBIN: With everything else
going on, I'm having a hard time
concentrating on Anthony.
>> So again, write them down
here.
Don't put them on the side so
that you can keep them right
next to each other.
Good.
(school bell ringing)
>> Okay, all right.
Everybody that's in tier two
reading needs to go.
(humming)
>> Oh ho.
>> Anthony, knock it off.
You're embarrassing.
You're an embarrassment.
Anthony!
(laughing)
I mean it!
I'm going to punch you
in the face.
>> If you do, give me my
sweater back.
Go!
>> You know what, kid?
You want your sweater back?
>> No, I don't!
>> You want your sweater back?
>> No, I don't.
>> Sweater back.
There's your sweater.
Now, let's go.
>> Yay, Mr. Sweater!
Mr. Sweater!
(coughing)
>> Mom, I'm home!
>> Mom, I'm home!
>> ROBIN: How was school?
>> Good.
>> Good.
>> Me and Darian got in an
argument.
>> ROBIN: Why?
>> 'Cause I was trying to be
funny and then she said,
"Knock it off!
I hate you."
>> Go sit down!
>> For how long?
>> God, I hate kids!
>> ROBIN: Oh my god.
>> I think I'm allergic to
dummies.
That's what he was doing.
That's how we got into a fight.
>> ROBIN: I have a headache.
Do you have homework, Anthony?
>> Nope, I got the first five
done in a half an hour, 25
minutes.
>> ROBIN: Well, how about the
rest of the assignment, 'cause
apparently you...
>> I only got one more question
to go-- I couldn't finish
it.
I don't know, actually.
I don't know, I forgot.
Mom, I'm sorry I forgot it.
>> ROBIN: Well, I'm calling the
teacher tomorrow then to find
out if you got it done.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: And I'm going to start
talking to that teacher every
day if I have to in order to
make sure you're finishing these
assignments.
>> Yeah, I try to get them done
right away, but I can't really.
It's getting harder and
harder and harder imagining
seventh grade.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> I might be...
I might even flunk sixth grade.
>> Well...
>> ROBIN: You need to stay on
top of it, son.
You need to work really, really
hard.
>> And this is just the
beginning of the year.
Imagine how it's going to be at
the end.
>> ROBIN: Well, if you keep
on...
>> Are these done?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
If you keep on doing it and you
keep on working it, it will be
okay.
>> My progress report from
civics and math.
Math I have a B, civics I have
a C.
I failed my test.
So I'm going to get extra
credit.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Tomorrow in the morning I'm
going to get there early.
I'll get six to eight points for
being there.
>> ROBIN: Then you can get on
the honor roll.
>> Yeah.
I could bring extra work there.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So yeah.
>> ROBIN: Anthony!
>> What?
>> ROBIN: Do you know what these
are for?
>> Yeah, for the walk.
>> ROBIN: You know, you know
what this walk is about?
>> Domestic violence.
>> Yeah, domestic violence.
>> ROBIN: What's domestic
violence?
>> I don't know.
>> It's verbal, physical...
>> It's really bad.
No, I know, it goes...
fist fights.
>> ROBIN: Yup, go get ready.
Darren is going to be here.
>> Yeah, for the walk.
>> ROBIN: To put up flyers.
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: Darren is going to
wear orange high heels for this
walk.
(stapling)
>> Just punch it.
>> Yeah.
>> Good.
>> I just want to try this.
>> Okay, watch my fingers or
you're going to go flying.
>> I'd rather have your finger
cut than mine.
'Cause I still need my fingers
for school.
(laughing)
>> Okay, try it.
Okay, good.
Okay, good.
Good, good.
>> This is kinda difficult.
>> It is.
>> Yeah.
>> All right.
Well, now just punch it, yeah.
Just punch it.
That was good work, my boy.
>> Thanks.
>> "Walk a mile in my shoes."
>> Yeah, whose idea was that?
>> ROBIN: That's the Friends
Against Abuse.
>> Good idea.
>> ROBIN: Yeah!
You know, and it's not just, you
know, you know, like tell the
guys you know.
If your mom, your sister,
whoever, you know.
>> Sure.
>> ROBIN: Encourage them to come
and come and walk.
>> You bet.
>> ROBIN: Walk and honor them.
Honor the women!
>> Absolutely.
>> ROBIN: Thank you.
>> Keep up the good work.
>> ROBIN: Thanks.
>> All right, take care, buddy.
>> Good to see you, man.
>> Yeah.
Where else do you want to go?
>> ROBIN: I have no idea.
>> Where else is there?
>> ROBIN: That's as much as I
know of this town.
>> It's the top of the hour, I'm
Kimberly Dawn; you're listening
to Psalm 99.5, KBHW,
International Falls.
Let's take a look at our
forecast for today.
It's rainy conditions in Hibbing
and in International Falls.
It's time for a look at our
community calendar.
You can participate with local
police and firemen in the "Walk
A Mile In Her Shoes" walk.
It's an opportunity to stand up
against *** abuse towards
women.
>> ROBIN: Look at him!
>> Here's your scripture for
today, it's from Micah eight,
and Psalm 82, verses two through
four.
Enough, you've corrupted
justice long enough...
>> Cool little shoes?
>> You've let the wicked get
away with ***...
>> Darren.
>> You're here today to defend
the defenseless.
>> I like your shoes, Darren.
>> Your job is to stand up for
the powerless and prosecute all
those who exploit them."
(cheering)
>> There's a lot of things to
talk about and yell about as
we're marching down the street.
And what I really want you to do
is to have conversations with
each other about this fact: one
in three women will be sexually
assaulted or beaten by their
husband or boyfriend.
How would that change your life,
if you had to live with those
odds?
We're walking a mile in her
shoes and they're not
comfortable, so it's important
that we start talking to each
other about what we can do as
men.
So, let's have a great march.
And you all look really amazing,
of course.
(cheering)
>> Darren!
Just hope you don't break the
heels!
>> It feels funny.
>> Look at him, Darren.
>> ROBIN: Darian, want me to
carry one?
>> I got it!
There you go.
No, I want it.
>> I would've been better in
those little, um, what do you
call it?
Those floppies?
Yeah, those floppies, yeah.
>> Flip flops, Darren.
>> Should wear a pair of those
instead.
>> ROBIN: A march like this
could never happen on the Spirit
Lake reservation, because there
we just don't talk about abuse.
And you have men who are abusers
themselves, perpetrators
themselves running programs.
Because of the march here in the
Falls, if you see somebody
getting beat up and you tell one
of the other community members,
there's going to be somebody
there to help you.
They see it at home,
the chances are five times
greater that they're going to
do that themselves.
>> Yeah, those statistics are
startling, eh?
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
And my son, the chances of
Anthony abusing women are 500%
greater.
>> Yeah, you need to think.
>> Stop the domestic violence.
>> You need to think about
that.
>> ROBIN: You have a really hard
job.
>> Ow!
That hurt!
>> ROBIN: Honey?
>> You know, you gotta, you
gotta think about that when you,
when you think I'm too strict in
my ways.
>> ROBIN: I know.
>> You know?
I sat in a classroom full of
women, you know, it was hard to
hear.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> I guess the only time men
would experience it...
>> Anthony, you're getting in
the way.
>> ...is when they go to prison.
That fear that women feel.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> Is it done, or are they going
to rally some more, or...?
>> ROBIN: It's done.
>> Mm-hmm.
(cheering)
>> ROBIN: Anthony.
>> My thing broke!
>> ROBIN: Give me that stick.
>> No!
>> Anthony, quit acting stupid.
>> Shut up!
>> I can hit you with this!
I can!
Better yet I'll use my fists.
>> Can't hit me, I can hit you
though, cause I'm a boy and I
can hit girls.
>> Anthony!
>> But we're against abuse,
remember?
>> I think that's it, man.
>> Yeah.
>> Here's a song I wrote for my
son.
He was having a hard time, and
so I sat down and wrote him this
song.
>> ♪ Let's go back to love
and roses... ♪
>> ROBIN: You were really good
today, proud of you.
>> Good, good.
>> ♪ Two hearts would always
beat so free
♪ If we could see what we've
been doing to each other... ♪
>> ROBIN: Listen to the words to
the song.
>> Whose song is this?
>> ROBIN: I don't know.
>> Yeah.
(laughing)
I love you.
>> ROBIN: I don't know of
another man who would wear a
pair of high heels for me and my
kids.
>> Look.
(Robin laughing)
>> ROBIN: Darren and I haven't
had enough time to get used to
being together and knowing each
other.
Since May we've moved three
times.
And I tell Darren, "I'm glad we
are going through all of this
stuff now because we need a
strong, strong foundation for
when this stuff really does hit
the fan."
And if we can get that
together, we're going to have
some pretty solid ground to be
on.
(applause and cheering)
>> Swing the tempo round, we're
going to pick it up a little bit
for you.
♪ ♪
(sighing)
>> ROBIN: I've been depressed my
entire life.
I was molested and *** by
people you called dad, grandpa,
uncle.
The doctor told me I'd be
depressed for the rest of my
life.
This past month the depression
hit pretty hard.
I broke up with Darren again.
His jealousy, his insecurity
completely turned me upside
down.
Everything in my life I
struggled with.
Christmas is coming up.
I can't even make rent.
And I missed Darren a lot.
I looked on his Facebook
profile and what he wrote about
me was, "Everyone told me she
was a ***.
Everyone told me she was a
***."
All of that completely
tore me up.
And I can't even explain to you
all of the things that were
running through my head and
trying to make sense of it all.
Because it was all there and it
was all going a hundred miles a
minute.
And... I found myself not
sleeping, hallucinating again.
And in the psych ward again.
>> She called me from the
hospital.
And initially I didn't know who
it was, but I could hear someone
crying, and saying "Darren,"
you know, and then I knew who it
was.
I had to keep my cool
because I was still driving and
I was shocked hearing her say
she was in a psych ward.
She said she was scared and she
needed to talk to me.
I never knew she could get so
depressed that she could land in
a hospital, you know-- she had
mentioned it before, but I
never...
from what I've seen of
her in the past year, she's been
pretty solid, she's been pretty
strong, confident, just a
beautiful woman and, you know,
it's just...
The next day I was pretty lost.
I decided I needed to go back
and try to help her.
So I went to see her in that
psych ward.
I walked in there.
I was pretty shaken up to see
that she was hurting, she was
suffering.
I couldn't talk for a while.
It was overwhelming the way she
looked; she was having a hard
time coping.
I never knew it could ever be
that bad for, for anybody.
You know, my heart went out to
her, you know, and I came to the
realization I, I was
guilty and responsible for it.
I decided if she wants
something, I'm going to try, I'm
going to try to do something to
help her.
To try to do it for her to, you
know, just make her realize
that, you know, she is loved,
you know, if she ever feels like
there's nobody out there in the
world for her, you know, I just
want her to realize that, you
know, I'm there.
>> Sweet!
That was fun!
>> Mom, what are you doing?
>> ROBIN: It says, "Respect that
I was doing what I needed to do
in order to survive, whether
physically or emotionally.
Do not ask why I made the
decisions or choices.
When I'm not feeling
affectionate it is not about
you, it is about how I feel.
When I'm triggered by something,
please don't take it personally.
It is not necessarily about what
is happening so much that, as
that I am reminded of something
harmful from the past.
What's the trigger, what is a
panic attack?"
>> Oh.
Sorry.
>> ROBIN: Do you think that
you're a survivor?
>> What?
>> ROBIN: Or a victim?
>> Hmm?
>> ROBIN: Huh?
>> I don't know.
>> ROBIN: Um, you know what?
You are a survivor!
'Cause you are woman!
>> Mom, I'm home.
Hi.
>> ROBIN: Can I hear you roar?
>> Mmm, raar.
(laughing)
>> Mom, I can't plug in the
plug-in.
>> ROBIN: I can't remember too
much about the hospital.
There's a plug in over there.
>> What?
>> ROBIN: I was there for five
days.
>> Yeah, but what about that
one?
>> ROBIN: And then the doctors
told me, "Here's the medication,
Robin.
I think we're going to let you
go."
>> Kinda hard getting up here.
>> ROBIN: When I got back
home, I seen the terrified,
scared look on my kids' faces.
>> ROBIN: Darian, come here.
Thinking Mom has lost it.
>> What do you want me to do?!
>> ROBIN: And dad is locked up
in prison.
Take this.
>> That stuff melted and...
>> ROBIN: And I've been trying
to repair the damage.
Hey, I smell cookies!
>> Darian, you made the worst
cookies in history!
>> They taste better when
they're dough.
They're for Santa Claus!
Here's your cookie.
>> ROBIN: Thanks.
Like, I am so glad to be home.
What are we having for supper?
Did you guys say?
>> Ham!
>> ROBIN: Anthony said he wanted
spaghetti.
>> Sweet!
>> ROBIN: Go to the store and
grab some spaghetti.
>> I'm not riding my bike, it's
freezing cold.
>> ROBIN: Go get some noodles.
>> Fine, I'm riding my bike
then.
That's the reason why I don't
like you anymore.
>> ROBIN: Too bad, I love you.
>> I'm joking, I love you.
I love you.
(dog barking)
>> Hi, Robin.
>> ROBIN: Hey!
>> Come in.
How you doing?
>> ROBIN: Good.
>> I'm a little concerned about
you.
>> ROBIN: Yeah?
>> How you feeling?
>> ROBIN: Good.
>> You look good.
>> ROBIN: Better.
>> You look real good.
>> ROBIN: Yeah.
>> What's going on?
>> ROBIN: Um...
had a nervous breakdown...
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: Ended up in the
hospital for a couple days.
>> Ah.
Mmm, yeah.
>> ROBIN: But, I'm doing better.
>> Good, good.
Is Darian okay?
>> ROBIN: Darian is fine.
They are both fine.
They seen Mom talking completely
out of her head from lack of
sleep.
Hallucinating from lack of
sleep.
They seen... they heard Mom
just rambling.
They heard my racing thoughts
running through my head,
everything.
They heard and seen that.
And, you know, granted, that was
traumatic enough for them.
But, they're both in counseling
and the counselor both know,
knows completely everything.
>> Good, good.
>> ROBIN: I don't hide.
>> Robin, tell me, do you think,
I mean there's been a lot going
on at work lately, has that, was
that piling on, adding stress to
what you were already dealing
with?
I'm concerned about you doing
this training tomorrow.
>> ROBIN: As far as it being too
much, no.
>> 'Cause it was your idea, it
was your passion, it was your
initiative that really set this
whole thing up.
So thank you for that.
But I just am very, very pleased
with how it's turned out.
I'm just, at this point, most
concerned about you.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And I don't want anything to
pile onto you that could...
>> ROBIN: No.
>> Do you know how many people
we have signed up for this?
>> ROBIN: No.
>> We're up to 66 people have
signed up for this and we have
them coming from Baudette,
they're coming from across the
river in Canada, they're coming
from all different parts of
town.
>> ROBIN: Huh.
>> We've got nursing staff,
we've got educators, we've got
therapists.
>> ROBIN: Uh-huh.
>> Really an awesome group
coming in and you're planning to
tell your story.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Is that right?
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Are you okay with that?
>> ROBIN: I am completely okay
with it because the more I tell
it, the stronger it's going to
make me.
>> Our last speaker today is a
phenomenal woman who has had
some very hard things that
happened in her life and she has
an amazing strength and sense of
self.
And so right now I would like to
introduce my new friend, Robin
Charboneau.
(applause)
>> Oh.
Sorry.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
If it gets to be too much for me
to talk today, I'm going to say
I'm done and they will close for
me.
My name is Robin Charboneau,
and I'm getting nervous now...
(exhaling)
My mother was an alcoholic and
she was not able to care for me
properly and I had lots of
cousins, and we all slept in one
room because that's the way we
tried to protect each other when
my mom was drinking for days on
out and having these weeklong
binges.
And, one night, the light came
on, everyone ran, and I didn't
get away.
And, I don't remember the ***
itself, I remember the emergency
room.
I remember screaming, kicking
and fighting doctors and nurses
off, telling them don't let that
chichi get me.
I was three.
I didn't realize...
that was going to be my first
time.
(crying)
What happened next was that I
was taken away from my mom and I
was placed in a foster home--
that was before they did
background checks-- in a home
where I was torn and ripped
into pieces, time and time
again...
By people I called dad, uncles,
friends of the family.
By the time I was ten, I could
remember, counting on my
fingers, ten guys.
I reported it.
Only one made it to trial.
And that was when I was ten and
I was brutally *** and beaten
by my dad.
I didn't realize how all of the
rapes, all of the molestations,
were going to affect me and
every part of me.
Every decision I made, every
choice I made came from that.
I have to ask you for a second
to close your eyes and imagine a
little girl.
Pieces.
As a little girl, I was ripped
and torn into pieces.
As he tears off my clothes, I
begin to pray to Jesus, "Don't,
Daddy, don't."
I screamed and I begged.
He pulls off my pants and holds
my kicking legs.
He let go of me for a second.
I almost got away.
He grabbed me again, threw me
down and hollered at me to
stay.
My younger cousin was there,
crying, begging him not to do
it.
"Run and get someone,"
I screamed.
Then I was hit, right across my
face.
My nose began to bleed.
"Daddy, I'm bleeding."
I hoped for sympathy.
"Shut up or I'll make the other
side bleed too."
I was terrified, trembling, a
kid, what could I do?
"Please, God, please," I prayed
to myself, "make him stop, when
will it end?"
Then he stopped and I started to
pretend...
like nothing happened.
"No, Daddy, I won't tell."
I see my chance to escape
and began to yell, "Run, he
*** me, run!"
As I ran to their car, my cousin
was walking on the road.
He didn't get far.
Torn and shattered, I picked up
the pieces.
Now tell me what to do.
Please tell me, sweet Jesus.
I found myself reaching for
attention from all the wrong
people, then again, maybe they
were the right people, who were
taught the wrong way of love.
Or maybe I just got used to
being treated that way.
I was married to a man who was
very abusive verbally, calling
me names.
***, ***, ***.
Nobody would want me, he said.
Why?
Because I wasn't good enough for
him and I believed what he said
because he said it to me time
and time again.
I would fight back too.
This man wasn't going to get the
best of me.
I'd leave him one day.
At the same time I also told
myself I would show him the
woman I am, then he will love
me.
We drank and we partied the
whole way.
I threatened to leave him.
Our fights got worse.
I endured more.
We destroyed each other,
hitting, fighting, hollering,
but the most damage was done at
night, when we lay down beside
each other and say "I love you."
He was United States Marine
Corps.
He'd protect me.
Finally, it came down to kill
or be killed.
Before he choked me to death, I
would fight back.
And I wrote...
this for my ex-husband: "If you
could only see, the woman inside
of me.
I held on for eight long,
hard years, as we drank beer
after beer.
I only wanted love
and protection, never thinking
to mention that I needed
protection from you.
You were a kid once, Anthony,
you were a kid once too.
Never taught wrong from right,
only taught how to fight.
Anthony, I forgive you for the
pain I felt, I also forgive
myself for the pain I dealt.
Our kids need to hear an apology
from you.
It takes courage
and it's your duty too.
Honor will be the greatest gift
to yourself and that is the only
way to save you from hell."
And the last thing that I need
to say that I still struggle
with, is not just how to build a
family and to be a mom.
But it also... the boundaries,
the boundaries within a
relationship.
Nobody never taught me how to be
a wife or a mother, because it
was married men who were
molesting me.
So, I still have a long ways to
go.
I still have a lot of things to
learn.
But, it's just one step at a
time.
(sighing)
I'm glad I got through that.
(applause)
Thank you, guys.
Thank you all for listening.
(applause)
Darren.
(sighing)
>> I love you, baby.
(Robin sniffling)
>> ROBIN: I love you, too.
>> Officially, you ready for
this?
Two days, 14 hours, 43 minutes,
37, 36.
Yeah, Santa leaves the North
Pole.
Stick around, I've got some life
saving stocking stuffer ideas
for us.
>> Gosh.
Whoa.
>> Hey, how are you doing?
>> Hi.
>> Are you going to come and see
me, Anthony?
>> Why?
>> Are you going to come and see
me?
>> Yeah.
Oh, hi.
>> How are you doing?
>> Good.
>> Want to sit on my lap?
>> No.
>> Okay.
So, how's the year going for
you?
>> Huh?
>> How's the school year going?
>> Good.
>> Good.
>> Kinda failing.
>> You're failing?
>> I got an A in reading though.
>> Oh, that's good.
So what do you think of
International Falls?
Quite a difference from North
Dakota?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Well, good.
Having a good time here?
>> Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
>> And how's Darian doing?
>> Good.
>> Is she?
Good.
Still doing good in basketball?
>> Um, yeah.
>> Good.
So what do you want for
Christmas this year?
>> A Nerf gun that turns into
like a sniper.
>> A Nerf gun.
>> It's like a sniper, it starts
out like a sniper, then it turns
into a machine gun sort of
thing.
>> Nerf gun, that's for like a
Wii?
>> No.
>> Well, I'll go and check with
the elves on that.
I'm sure we got them for you.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Well, Anthony, don't have any
toys in here yet, but would you
like some candy?
>> Sure.
>> Hold you over for awhile.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> There you go.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay, well, Merry Christmas!
>> Yeah, Merry Christmas to you
too.
♪ Candy, candy cane.
♪ My candy cane.
("Deck the Halls" playing)
(church bell ringing)
(humming Christmas music)
>> Christmas!
>> Hurry up, you guys!
Yeah!
So which is whose?
>> I don't know.
(laughing)
>> Darian.
I don't know.
>> Can we open them up, Mom?
>> ROBIN: Uh-huh.
>> Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up,
get down here it's Christmas
time!
>> ROBIN: Merry Christmas.
>> Can we open them?
>> ROBIN: Go ahead.
Hold on.
>> This is yours.
You open it now.
Sorry, Darren, I forgot to get
you one.
>> ROBIN: Honey, want to hand
them out?
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Get out, Dar, and let
him hand them out.
>> Okay.
I forgot one in the car too.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
Anthony!
>> Look at what I got.
>> For you, 'cause you're the
basketball great.
>> Mom.
>> That's for when you get all
sweaty.
You put it on and it helps all
your sweat.
>> ROBIN: Honey, want to hand
them out?
>> Oh, okay.
>> This is awesome.
>> Anthony, this one's for you.
>> Thank you.
(laughing)
>> ROBIN: Thank you, son.
I was going to get one of those.
This Christmas is just more than
what I ever imagined it could
be.
This is my first Christmas
sober with my kids.
>> Awesome.
>> ROBIN: I'm happy for the kids
to have Darren here.
Thank you.
>> This one's yours.
>> That one's mine?
>> Wrapped by Anthony.
>> ROBIN: Anthony got a remote
control car from Darren.
>> You did get me what I thought
it was!
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: And Darian got some
makeup from Darren.
The kids' eyes just lit up
'cause they were not expecting
that.
>> It's pretty, though.
>> This is cool.
Darren, thanks.
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: Merry Christmas, you
Indians!
Are you guys done?
>> Yes.
>> ROBIN: Hold on.
Ready, set.
>> Wait, let me get mine!
>> ROBIN: Ready, set, go.
>> Mom!
(laughing)
You gave me the hardest one to
open.
What!
Sweet!
What the heck is this?
Inner tube!
>> It's an inner tube!
>> ROBIN: To go sledding on.
>> I got an inner tube.
It's an inner tube!
Sorry.
We can go sledding.
Thanks, Mom.
Thank you.
>> Hey Darren, it reminds me of
me and my dad when we went
sledding over cars.
>> Really?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: You know, my
ex-husband's family, we had a
farm.
Right at the end of my marriage,
we'd ride the sled.
My ex-husband put me on the
sled.
>> On one of those little
things?
>> ROBIN: We were riding right
through all the deer.
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: There were deer in the
sides of us, deer in front of
us, and deer behind us.
I was scared, I was waiting to
flip.
That's what the kids miss.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Mom, this good enough?
>> ROBIN: Is it hard?
Just remember if it's not hard,
you're not going nowhere.
>> ROBIN: Darren, you are the
closest thing he's got to his
dad.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: The kids miss you
very, very, very much when you
were gone.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Anthony was hollering
and throwing his fits and
telling me how mad he was, so
it's going to take time.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: But I'm happier than I
ever could imagine.
>> Mm...
>> Mom!
I got it.
>> Mom!
>> Holy man, look at that!
>> ROBIN: This Christmas just
feels complete.
>> Go try it out now.
>> ROBIN: But I don't know what
the new year's going to bring.
I received an e-mail from my
boss LeeAnn.
She wants me to work less hours.
LeeAnn doesn't feel that I'm fit
to run a group for battered
women because of my mental
breakdown.
She wants me to continue doing
supervised visits.
That means less money for me and
my family.
So I e-mailed her back.
And I let her know that she
cannot use my mental illness
against me in the performance of
my job.
She hired me to co-facilitate a
women's group, which meets every
Tuesday.
And I told her I'd be reporting
to perform that duty whether she
wants me to or not.
So, I don't know what's going to
happen this new year.
(Native American music
playing)
(train horn blaring)
(Robin sighing)
After Christmas, LeeAnn answered
my e-mail, and she said, "Robin,
things have changed."
She didn't know what it was,
but something changed in me.
LeeAnn said, "I can no longer
keep you employed here.
Do you want to resign?"
So I did.
I resigned.
And now I'm the educational
coordinator at the
Sunrise Center.
I go into the elementary
schools and I teach the good
touch, bad touch.
I teach high schoolers about
violent relationships and ***
abuse.
I haven't yet gone into the
community, but I really need to.
It's too early.
I like doing this, and I like my
boss, Jess.
She's younger than me
and she's amazing.
>> You know, I did have a
call from Northome.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> You visited their school, I
believe, two weeks ago.
>> ROBIN: Uh-huh.
>> And their school is the pre-K
through 12th grade and a teacher
who had said that they think
that one of the presentations
that you did at Northome was
moving enough for a student
that she suspected that was
being sexually abused, to
finally mention something to the
principal.
>> ROBIN: Oh.
>> And you know, it went through
their social services.
But, at this point, you know,
all it takes is just the
difference of one person.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And that's truly what you're
doing right now.
>> ROBIN: Oh, that's great.
>> Kinda makes the whole reason.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
>> The whole purpose of our
agency.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Exactly every single thing
that you are doing, and...
>> ROBIN: Yeah, definitely.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Sunday Darian has set
up another meeting for her
charity basketball game she
wants to do.
>> Oh, great.
>> ROBIN: There's two more
people that got involved.
One's her coach.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: So, and so if we're
going to probably have them...
>> Come in and meet here?
>> ROBIN: Come in here on Sunday
around three is when we have it
scheduled.
>> Okay.
>> "Maybe it was just some freak
accident with the hinges, but I
didn't stay long enough to find
out.
I got in the Camaro and told my
mom to step on it.
Our rental cabin on the south
shore, way out on the tip of
Long Island, was great.
(pounding loudly)
"We'd been going there since I
was a baby.
"My mom had been going even
longer.
"She never exactly said, but I
knew why the beach was special
to her.
It was the place where she met
my dad..."
Anthony, please stop.
Anthony.
>> Gosh.
>> "As we got closer, she seemed
to grow younger, years of worry
and work disappearing from her
face.
Her eyes turned the color of the
sea."
I'm going to stop right there.
We have about ten minutes left.
If you want to work on
your Minnesota booklet that's
fine.
If not, please find
something to read quietly.
>> Can I have it?
Can I have it?
Can I have it?
>> It's sticky.
>> Sweet.
>> Oh, you caught it.
>> Okay, now Anthony.
>> Huh?
>> I'll take that.
>> Okay.
>> What's in your hand?
>> There's nothing in my hand.
>> I'm going to put it in the
garbage.
>> No, I want it!
>> I'll put it away.
No, I want it.
>> It's my bouncy ball thing.
>> I want to see it.
>> That's it.
>> Show it to me.
Where'd it come from?
>> I found it.
>> Okay.
I'm going to throw it in the
garbage.
>> No, no!
>> No, no, you shouldn't have
that.
>> That's my bouncy ball, sticky
and slimy.
>> I'm going to throw it out.
>> No!
>> Anthony, what's going on in
here today, huh?
All right, okay, you guys need
to get ready to go.
Push in that chair next to you,
please.
>> Should I?
Should I?
>> Line up at the door, please!
>> ROBIN: Anthony is starting to
act out a lot more.
>> She's a robot.
>> ROBIN: But he likes his
therapist and he's got...
>> You got a jacket?
>> ROBIN: ...Brad.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Jess's husband.
>> You bet.
So what's new?
>> ROBIN: Brad is his big
brother, his mentor.
>> Did you have a basketball
tournament at all last weekend?
>> No, but I got one coming up.
Pace Setters.
>> Is that the Virginia one?
>> Uh-huh.
>> When is that?
>> This weekend.
>> This weekend?
>> Yeah.
>> Is it a one day deal or do
you still...
>> ROBIN: Brad is making a
really, really big impact on my
son.
>> Is that Saturday or Sunday?
>> I don't know.
Would you want to go play
basketball?
>> I don't know if I'm really
dressed for it, but maybe.
I don't got tennis shoes on, but
I suppose you don't need them.
>> You could wear my mom's!
I'm joking.
>> Yeah, I don't think they'd
fit.
>> ROBIN: It's nice to see him
interacting with a male that he
looks up to.
>> Kids still bugging you?
>> Pretty much, yeah.
>> Yeah.
What are they doing?
>> I don't know.
>> Are they still calling you
names or what?
>> Mm, kind of, not really
though.
>> Yeah.
Getting in any trouble, or you
staying out of trouble?
>> Staying out of trouble.
>> Oh, that's good.
Getting all your homework done?
>> Uh-huh.
I got detention twice because I
got late work, 'cause I take too
long.
>> How much time do they give
you to get it done?
Like a week or a day or...?
>> 30 minutes.
>> You have to get all that done
in 30 minutes?
>> I get 30 minutes to work on
it.
>> Here's the flyer.
>> Nice.
>> I made that.
>> Where are you going to put
these up around town?
>> High school.
>> Cool.
>> ROBIN: McDonald's.
>> How many teams do you want to
have?
>> I don't know.
>> ROBIN: There should be a
limit.
>> Yeah.
>> You gotta figure out how long
a game's going to be, and...
>> 15 minutes.
>> Yeah.
I mean...
>> Hm... yeah.
>> You can go, you can go twos
and threes though.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Today, Darian's
running a meeting for the
charity basketball tournament.
>> So, what made you think about
doing this?
>> We were getting bored so then
I asked my mom to see what we
could do besides cleaning the
house.
(laughter)
She gave us...
or she told us to
think of an idea of how to raise
money for the Sunrise Center.
And I thought, we were just
throwing ideas out and stuff and
then I was thinking 'cause I
like basketball.
And uh...
(laughing)
>> Just a little bit.
>> Yeah, just a little.
And I said, what about a charity
basketball tournament?
We were just going on and on
about it so then...
>> Shebang.
>> She was getting meetings all
set up and everything and I'm
like oh, we're going!
I'm ready!
>> ROBIN: Okay, here's another
one.
>> Thanks.
>> ROBIN: I need a registration
form so I can do it like this.
Child's name, parent's
signature.
Will that work?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: This is Darian's
event.
>> Then you got to have like the
team name.
>> ROBIN: So I'm just making
changes they want to the flyers.
>> Player name, signature,
parent's signature.
>> Mm-hmm.
Yes.
>> You know what I'm talking
about, like...
>> Parent signature.
Make sure you got it.
>> ROBIN: Darian has friends
here.
They know what Darian's dad did
to her.
>> I feel like I'd get a mailing
address too.
>> Okay.
So, do you want to have
it at the high school?
>> Don't know, I don't know.
>> We'll look at it.
How about that?
>> Yes.
We shall.
Look at it.
>> Is the money being donated?
Or is it...
>> ROBIN: Proceeds go to the
center.
>> Nice.
>> ROBIN: To keep the costs
down, we wanted to put on the
flyer, no trophies.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: This is just for fun.
>> Yeah, it's really awesome
that you've done this.
>> ROBIN: For those that have
been abused and those parents
that are sitting, that are in
the thick of it, that's why what
you're doing, Darian, it's, you
know, maybe one day they can
call it Dar's tournament.
>> Dar's tournament.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> ROBIN: You can say a high
school student came up with the
idea of a one-day tournament for
*** abuse awareness month.
>> Hi, everyone.
Your participation means that
much more awareness against
*** abuse.
This is an epidemic in our
area, so thank you so much for
coming out today.
(applause)
(buzzer goes off)
>> The tournament ended up being
an international event.
>> So is she okay running the
scoreboard?
>> Yes.
>> It became more of a U.S.
versus Canadian tournament, and
that helped a lot with the
dramatics of the competition.
>> Ooh.
>> First injury of the game.
>> ROBIN: Oh my god.
>> Come on, let's go.
>> ROBIN: I don't think Darian
realizes how huge this event is.
>> Hurry up, switch.
>> ROBIN: Go, Darian!
For a child who has been
sexually assaulted, to take
everything she's gone through,
and turn it around into
something positive.
>> Keep going, D!
>> ROBIN: Stay on him, Dar.
>> Watch Ben!
Shoot!
>> ROBIN: Take your shot, Dar.
(cheering)
>> Nice shot, D!
>> This is easy.
>> ROBIN: Good job, Dar.
>> (singing gibberish)
(buzzer goes off)
>> Okay, all done.
>> Come on, D.
>> ROBIN: Head in the game.
>> No.
>> ROBIN: Oh.
Grab it!
>> Rebound it.
Ooh.
Take it, D!
On him.
On him, on him, on him.
>> ROBIN: Get at him.
>> Don't let him shoot.
>> ROBIN: If we can have all
the teams line up.
>> We just want to take a
minute, and say thank you again
for coming.
We just had our winners.
Our first place winners, which
is team Bujold, if they want to
come forward.
(applause)
So, thank you so much for
participating.
And an all-around thank you to
the committee members.
And thank you very much, Darian
Charboneau.
(applause)
>> ROBIN: Okay.
(clears throat)
My name is starting to get known
in Minnesota in the abuse field.
I'm getting invitations, doing
speeches that aren't for the
Sunrise Center.
Okay.
Yes.
Everything's going to be okay, I
can feel it.
Tomorrow I'm going to be
speaking about child abuse
prevention, ways to teach our
kids to watch out for the
predators that are within our
families.
Hoa.
♪ ♪
>> ROBIN: Oh, let's see.
Hm...
My PowerPoint presentation is
going to keep me on track.
I want to get their full
attention right away.
Oh.
So, I'm going to start off about
being *** and then pull on
their emotional ties enough to
get them to how do we protect
our kids from this?
All right.
I'm going to be talking today
about how do we prevent ***
abuse from happening to our
kids?
How do we protect our kids?
And I'm not a doctor, I'm
not a therapist so anything I
say, you know, are merely
suggestions.
This first speech at Fond du Lac
has more people than I expected.
I'm going to be sharing with you
how I recovered from this.
I hope I can keep
them interested.
My hope for today is that you'll
be able to take whatever I
suggest and be able to maybe
implement it in your family and
in your homes.
The first thing is to educate
everybody in your family about
abuse.
Be comfortable talking about
this with your kids.
I like being able to share
myself and to give my ideas.
Because if you're uncomfortable
talking about it, the kids...
I want to keep on doing this.
Let people that take care of
your kids know that at any time
I could walk in through that
door.
It'll lessen that chance of them
hurting our kids.
And as the kids grow older, you
know, talk to them about
puberty.
If they don't hear about this
stuff from us as parents, who
else is going to teach them?
My son, he came home asking,
"Mom, what's ***?"
and I was like, "Well, what did
they say in school?"
And it was just, you have to be
straight with them.
It's something that adults do,
it's nothing that kids do, it's
an adult thing that happens.
And, you know, just letting, you
know, if my son can come to me
with that question, you know it
gets tough and it puts you on
the spot.
And sometimes you don't always
feel like you have the right
answer, but if you try to answer
it the best way you can, at
least you're giving them
something solid.
So when the bigger questions
come later on, then they'll be
able to come to you with those.
We do have family meetings
every Sunday.
We have a speaking rock; whoever
has the rock can talk.
And I gave my kids a journal and
I told them, "Here, I want you
to write in these every day.
I do."
When I first gave my
daughter her journal she goes,
"Mom, I don't know what to write
about."
Then I wrote on paper:
love, hate, peace, anxiety,
scared, all these different
emotions.
I just wrote them all
on a paper, threw them in a bag
and told her here, you don't
know what to write about?
Pick something out and just
write about it.
And to hear, you know, a
14-year-old talk about love.
It's like every time I read what
she writes she'll come down and
she'll be like, "Mom, how does
this sound?"
And I'm just... by the time
she's done I'm crying, 'cause I
just, her words are just...
"Wow, you feel that, you're 14."
You know, but they've gone
through a lot so they're finding
ways to express that.
You know, finding what works for
them.
Finding, letting them explore
themselves.
And, you know, the only way you
can do that is if you do it
yourself, and if they see you
doing it, then they're going
to want to do it.
I just want to leave you with
this thought: You have to find
that voice inside of you and
teach it to your kids, and
that's all.
>> Wow!
Good job!
(applause)
>> ROBIN: How I know I've done a
good job is afterwards when
somebody in the audience comes
up to me and shakes my hand, or
gives me a hug.
>> You have a copy of your
PowerPoint?
>> ROBIN: I do.
>> You had some good points you
brought up during the
presentation that the ladies
that I work with could relate
to.
>> ROBIN: You know, all of those
negative things that you take
away from them...
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: It has to be
substituted for something
healthy, something positive.
>> Right.
>> ROBIN: You know.
>> Yup.
>> ROBIN: There you go.
>> Great.
Thank you, Robin, it's
beautiful.
>> ROBIN: Thank you.
>> God bless you.
>> ROBIN: Thank you.
Very much.
♪ ♪
>> ROBIN: I just want to leave
you with the thought that every
one of us has a voice.
We have it.
And as we are abused, we are
told what to do, we're told how
to feel.
And it takes a lot of healing to
find that voice.
And it's up to us to help our
kids find that voice, and to
listen to that voice within
them.
And if you guys have any
questions we can give you the
mic.
I can answer them or any
suggestions as to how you think
I can improve, I am open and
really, really would like to
hear that.
>> I wanted to know what justice
means to you and what kind of
ways you found justice in your
own life.
>> ROBIN: Uh, I've been...
um, really disappointed in our
system...
and how it affected my kids...
and my family.
And how it deals with
perpetrators.
But I know that there is one
judge that everybody faces and I
believe in that judge.
I don't believe that in any
sentence that is given out on
earth.
But I believe in the one that
they have to face when they get
to those doors.
And that, that justice system
scares me so, that keeps me in
check and it lets me know that
it'll be dealt with.
Thanks.
Any others?
>> I have young children, eight
and ten years old, and it's
extremely important for me to
make sure that I keep them safe
in their lives.
Because that's, you know,
something that I don't ever want
them to experience in their
lives.
So I really appreciate a lot of
the tips on how to talk to your
children, tips on how to make
your children feel special.
So, thank you for that because I
have a long road to go with my
kids as well.
>> ROBIN: Don't be afraid to try
new things.
Kids are just so full of ideas.
Any other questions?
>> Can you explain why you
waited so many years to report
what happened to you?
Some of your emotions, what
finally made you do it?
And how that's affected your
relationships; both maybe
intimate and just friendships,
family relationships?
>> ROBIN: It didn't stop until I
was 13.
My adopted mom knew about two of
them.
One of them was an older, older
gentleman.
She said he was too old to go to
jail, so I felt like I had to
protect him from going to jail.
Then my adopted mom disappeared
and I felt like I tore the
family apart.
So I quit, I didn't talk about
it anymore.
A lot of it I blocked out and
the only time it comes to me is
when I write.
And how the abuse affected my
relationships is after my
divorce, I started to run
around.
I went with a guy who held a
knife up to my neck.
Those are the kind of
relationships that the abuse led
me to, and since I've been on
this journey, you know, the
relationships are getting
better.
I'm getting more, more
confidence.
Those red flags I'm able to see.
>> Thank you, Robin.
>> ROBIN: Thank you.
As messed up as it may sound, I
wouldn't change any of the abuse
I suffered as a child because it
made me the woman I am.
And the further down this
journey I go, it feels good to
be able to reach out to those
people that come my way.
I love and I enjoy my work.
Anybody else?
No?
Thank you, guys, thank you all
for listening.
>> Thank you for coming down.
(applause)
(rain pouring)
>> Mom, how did you do?
Did people like it, did they
applaud?
>> ROBIN: Everyone liked my
speech.
>> Oh, that's exciting, Mom.
>> ROBIN: I was able to be more
open with them.
>> Really?
>> ROBIN: Some of the women that
come may still be drinking.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: May still be in an
abusive relationship.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Most of them are
mothers, are aunts, you know,
trying to raise their kids.
And I shared your picture
frames.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: 'Cause that just gave
them something more personal...
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: And if you'll allow me
to read parts of your journal.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Anthony, they love
your bike story.
(laughing)
And I made this week as much as
I did for two weeks at the
Sunrise Center.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: But my job is going to
be done in June when the Sunrise
Center and Friends Against Abuse
merge.
>> Why?
>> ROBIN: There's only enough at
the Sunrise Center to justify
one person.
And LeeAnn, she's going to be
the education coordinator, which
is what I am.
>> Mm...
>> ROBIN: So, I'm going to be
out of a job.
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: So money's going to be
a little bit tight.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: But I'm confident in
my speaking, which is what I
want to do.
And when I'm standing up there,
I tell them about, you know,
when I was drinking.
You know, I wasn't a good mom,
when I was drinking, right?
>> Mm...
Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Or was I just the best
mom in the world?
>> No.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
And I tell them that.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: I made some really bad
choices when I was drinking and
it affected my kids.
So when I sobered up, I had to
rebuild my family.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: I had to help my kids
understand that they can talk to
me.
And I am trying to listen,
right?
>> Yeah.
Thanks, Mom.
(dogs barking)
>> Bounce baby out the door.
(laughing)
Hello?
>> ROBIN: Hey, hon.
>> What's up?
>> ROBIN: Supper's done.
>> How's it going?
>> ROBIN: Just us tonight.
>> Oh.
Where are the kids?
>> ROBIN: Dar's at practice.
Anthony's with his friend.
>> Oh.
>> ROBIN: How was work?
>> Uh, the same.
The same, different day.
Yup.
Tracking people, that type of
thing, and you?
>> ROBIN: All right.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So any mail?
>> ROBIN: Mail?
>> Mail.
>> ROBIN: No.
>> Mm...
(laughing)
Lots of cartilage.
Left the cartilage in there.
>> ROBIN: Hm...
>> I wanted to go to Thunder Bay
and get the car cleaned.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Friday, Friday afternoon.
>> ROBIN: You want to go all the
way to Thunder Bay to clean your
car?
>> Yeah.
Washed and waxed and shampooed
and vacuumed and...
>> ROBIN: So what does that cost
you?
>> Probably $60.
>> ROBIN: Plus the gas to go
there.
>> Yeah.
Probably $40 for the gas.
>> ROBIN: So $100?
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: You give me that and
I'll wash and wax your car,
clean it out.
Pay, use it for the bills.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Then you don't have to
travel.
>> Yeah.
Hm...
Yeah, but that's half the fun.
Yup, I was in Atikokan again.
>> ROBIN: You're going out of
town then this weekend?
>> Yeah.
I'm thinking about it.
The thought crossed my mind.
I would certainly try to clean
the car myself.
I don't know, I suppose I could.
I just have to make some time.
>> ROBIN: Like I said, give me
$100 and I'll clean that car.
>> Hm...
>> ROBIN: Just give me that
money to pay the bills.
>> Yeah, we'd need one of those
small shampooers.
She might be a bit insecure
because I take trips to Thunder
Bay.
>> ROBIN: Yeah, I have nothing
planned.
>> I try to tell her that I'm
not doing what I did before,
hanging around with other girls.
Sometimes I just want to be
alone.
Especially when she gets
distant.
>> ROBIN: Go ahead, eat.
>> No, I'm good, I'm good.
I'm still full from lunchtime.
>> ROBIN: The money situation is
terrible.
I told him, you know, "My job is
going to end.
I might have to rely on you to
take care of us."
He's never had any real
responsibilities other than the
clothes on his back, what he
drives, his image.
>> ROBIN: Where's the other
bill?
Our insurance.
>> Your insurance?
>> ROBIN: Yup.
That's due.
>> Mm...
Are they still hiring at
Ronnings?
>> ROBIN: I don't know.
>> How come you don't try there?
Be a cashier or sell some
sweatshirts.
(chuckling)
An interesting job.
Imagine all the tourism.
Lots of tourists coming and
going.
It's like the edge of the
country.
Imagine people all over the
world come through this town.
Yeah, tons of people.
>> Mm...
Yeah, gotta try something.
Yeah.
Hm...
>> ROBIN: The electric bill's
due.
That's $184.
>> Oh.
Well, I think I'm going to go
smoke, smoke, smoke.
It's a Canadian smoke too.
Switch back to American after.
>> ROBIN: Yeah, those cigarettes
are what, $13 a pack?
>> On the rez it's like seven.
That's like in $13 a pack,
you're talking about like
mainstream.
>> ROBIN: Seven times seven days
a week, $49, that's $150.
>> 150?
>> ROBIN: Dollars a month.
>> No, that's $150 every two
weeks.
Isn't it?
I don't know, but it costs lots
and the way things are going,
I'll probably have to stop
smoking.
>> ROBIN: Hm...
>> Okay, I'm going to go.
See you later, honey.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> We need to go dance, honey.
>> ROBIN: He's always saying,
"Of course, I'll help you.
I'll support us, babe.
I'll do what I can."
And now that it's down to
the wire, we'll see if he does
or not.
♪ ♪
>> ♪ In the summer when the
grass is green around you,
♪ You're as pretty as the light
of the morning sky,
♪ And you know that I could
never live without you... ♪
>> ROBIN: Just as I thought,
Darren blew up.
What happened was, I was taking
the census and Darren seen me
with this guy who was asking me
questions and then after the guy
left, Darren said, "Who the heck
is that?"
I said, "It's only the
census guy.
It doesn't matter who it is,
because every man is a threat to
you."
>> We had a big blowout.
There were some small
insignificant things being said.
I told her I just need someone
who's going to care about what I
want, not just brush it off.
You know, all I've ever wanted
was to get married.
I'm not so sure it can happen
anymore.
>> ROBIN: So that night we drove
back to the house.
Darren started packing up.
Anthony asked, "Mom, is Darren
moving out?"
I told him,
"It looks like he is."
Darren said, "I don't know.
You're the one deciding this.
I'm just here to pay the bills."
I said, "That's it, I'm done."
He got in his car and went back
to Canada.
(bird squawking)
(phone ringing)
>> Record your message at the
tone.
When you are finished,
hang up or stay on the line for
further options.
>> I just called to tell you
that I love you.
Yeah.
I'm sorry for being such a
nutcase last evening.
I just...
Yeah, love you.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> End of message.
Delete, press seven.
Save, press nine.
More options, press zero.
(sighing)
>> ROBIN: I feel really, really
bad when he's crying on the
phone.
You know, this is the third time
he's left.
But it doesn't mean it gets any
easier.
Nope.
In about two weeks, he'll say
everything's great, let's go get
married, honey.
But he's so insecure.
We need to communicate instead
of hurting each other and
ripping each other to shreds.
My kids are used to him leaving.
The only thing is my kids don't
understand why.
>> Ho, oh.
(children talking)
(train horn blaring)
>> ROBIN: So you want it to be
different?
Then make it different.
>> It just hurts, it just hurts
to be with you.
>> ROBIN: I'm not the type of
woman who just is going to let
you talk like that to me
anymore, you know?
You say something to me, I'm
going to say something back.
>> I know.
I have my triggers where
everything just flips over
sometimes.
Just goes back to everything
that's happened.
Sometimes I just feel real
unsafe when I'm not with you.
Even more so now.
Knowing there's a guy here in
the Falls that was here when I
wasn't here.
Like I said, it's just, it's
just hard knowing that being
here, walking down the street,
bumping into some guy, wondering
if that's him.
You know, I just feel like, I
just feel like a chump.
I really do.
>> ROBIN: One minute you love me
and I'm your world and mean
everything to you, and then the
next it's the whole, "Who you
sleeping with down the street?"
>> Yeah, if you're...
>> ROBIN: Day and night with
you.
Except it's all in one day.
Extreme highs and extreme lows.
>> I don't blame you.
I don't blame you.
I know exactly what I'm like.
Like I question my own shadow.
And then I just want to run
away.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: I told you that I have
a job offer on the rez.
>> Uh-huh.
>> ROBIN: You could be free.
>> Yeah, I know.
>> ROBIN: I don't want to stay
in the Falls.
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: It's too far.
And if I get that job, that
job's $20 an hour.
Full medical.
Darian can get her braces.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> ROBIN: Did you know it would
be working with all of the
tribes in North Dakota?
So I'd be doing what I do now,
except I'd be getting paid.
>> I want you, but you know,
there's so much to be afraid of.
You know, moving to North
Dakota.
And dropping my job and dropping
my car and, you know, just
letting go of my whole life.
It's just, it's all pretty
overwhelming.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
So what are we going to do about
us?
>> You're the boss.
It's going to be however you
want.
>> ROBIN: Hm...
>> I'm pretty determined to be
here.
>> ROBIN: Mm...
>> I'll let you kiss me.
I'll let you touch me.
>> ROBIN: Uh-uh.
>> That night, she asked me if I
was going to stay.
You know, this time I told her I
wanted to stay with her.
All those nights by myself, I
didn't want that life anymore.
So I asked her, "Robin, will you
marry me?"
>> ROBIN: We were driving and he
had said, "Marry me.
I want you to marry me."
And I had turned the radio down
and I told him that,
"I'd marry you."
And he just sat there, looking
straight ahead like he didn't
understand what I had said.
(clears throat)
And then he started crying.
So...
yeah.
So then I said, "I'd marry you."
>> It's eight o'clock.
I'm Kimberly Dawn.
Paul reminds us that love never
gives up.
Love cares more for others than
for self.
Love doesn't want what it
doesn't have, doesn't have a
swelled head.
Love doesn't force itself on
others, isn't always me first.
>> Is that what happened?
(laughing)
>> So live it out daily, loving
one another as Christ
has perfectly exhibited his love
toward you.
For all of us at Psalm 99.5,
merry Christmas!
(cars honking)
>> ROBIN: Oh, my gosh.
Scoot over.
>> Oh, my gosh!
>> Do you have everything?
>> Yeah.
>> ROBIN: Well, let's go get
married.
>> Yeah, that's a good idea.
>> Mom.
(laughing)
>> ROBIN: My little Canadian
man.
(laughing)
>> Yeah.
My mommy's getting married.
I got a step daddy.
I can't believe my mom's getting
married today!
>> Would you like to give your
mother away, honey?
>> What do you mean?
>> When I say, "Who gives this
woman to this man?"
you can say, "I, Anthony."
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Yes.
>> Sure.
>> Who gives this woman to this
man?
>> I, Anthony.
>> Thank you, Anthony.
Kiss Mama.
Very good.
And you can come right over
here, and I'll have you both
join right in front of me.
Right there, perfectly.
We are here today to celebrate
the marriage of Robin Allison
Chaboreau...
>> ROBIN: Charboneau.
>> Charboneau, thank you, dear.
And Darren Spoon.
It is a day to rejoice, have
fun, and to make memories.
Are you ready?
>> ROBIN: Yup.
(laughing)
>> This is a really good
question.
Have you come here today at
your own free will?
>> Yes.
>> ROBIN: No.
Just kidding.
>> Okay.
>> ROBIN: Yes.
>> These are going to be some of
the most important moments of
your lives, when you
affectionately pledge your
intentions to become husband and
wife.
Your promises made here today
must be renewed tomorrow, and
for all the tomorrows that will
come.
Join hands, please?
>> ROBIN: Uh-huh.
>> Thank you very much.
Do you, Robin, take Darren to be
your husband from this day
forward?
>> ROBIN: I do.
>> Do you, Darren, take Robin to
be your wife from this day
forward?
>> I do.
>> Very nice.
Repeat after me together, saying
it to each other, please.
>> I will be faithful to you.
>> I will be faithful to you.
>> And honest with you.
>> And honest with you.
>> And honest with you.
>> I will respect.
>> I will respect.
>> Trust.
>> I will respect.
>> Trust.
>> Help.
>> Help.
>> And care for you.
>> And care for you.
>> I will share my life with
you.
>> I will share my life
with you.
>> I will forgive you.
>> I will forgive you.
>> As we have been forgiven.
>> As we have been forgiven.
>> And I will try with you.
>> And I will try with you.
>> To better understand.
>> To better understand.
>> Ourselves.
>> Ourselves.
>> The world.
>> The world.
>> And God.
>> And God.
>> Through the best.
>> Through the best.
>> And the worst.
>> And the worst.
>> Of what is yet to come.
>> Of what is yet to come.
>> As long as we both shall
live.
>> As long as we both shall
live.
>> Perfect.
Robin and Darren, would you like
to seal your vows with a kiss?
(laughing)
You can do it.
>> Darn it, do it again.
>> And now, by the power vested
in me, I pronounce you husband
and wife.
>> Ah ha hey, ha hey ya!
All right, Dakota people.
It is warm.
It's 12 degrees outside.
And if you see somebody standing
on the side of the road, be
careful!
Watch out for the chichis
and the wanagis.
If you can see through them,
don't pick them up!
You're listening to 90.7 FM
KABU, in Fort Totten, North
Dakota, heartbeat of the Spirit
Lake Nation.
(phone ringing)
>> Good afternoon, Ackre law
firm.
Yes, Robert Ackre is in.
>> Hey, Robin.
How have you been?
>> ROBIN: Good, good.
Kids are doing really good,
considering everything.
They've been...
Darian's on A honor roll.
We did move back to Spirit Lake.
I'm working with the First
Nation Women's Alliance, Linda
Thompson.
>> Hm...
>> ROBIN: I'm working with her
program as their *** assault
advocate.
I've gone throughout Minnesota,
talking about abuse, helping
whoever I could.
But it's always been in, you
know, my heart that I'm going to
come home, I'm going to come
home, which is Spirit Lake, and
I'm going to help my people.
>> Really?
Well, that's wonderful.
>> ROBIN: This job became
available, so I applied for it,
I got it.
And it's the perfect opportunity
for me to do that and get paid,
'cause there were times in the
Falls when I was doing the job
without even getting paid.
>> Well, aside from moving back
to see family, and to be around
family, I just can't imagine why
anybody would want to come back
and subject themselves to
everything that you've gone
through.
Aren't you afraid of your
ex-husband's family?
>> ROBIN: They've always been
coming at me.
Always.
So it's...
They're going to come at me
anyway.
They're going to keep
coming no matter what.
So...
>> So you're here today because
of what?
>> ROBIN: I want sole custody of
my kids, legal and physical.
>> It's kind of nebulous right
now, the current court order,
because the Spirit Lake Tribal
Social Services initiated it.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> And then they dropped it in
January of 2009, they actually
asked that the case be closed.
So the court did close it, and
they basically said that you
have primary custody of your
children but legal, joint legal
custody with Anthony as well.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm, and I just
can't believe that after a year
and a half of him being in
prison for molesting my daughter
and a foster child, that we
still have joint legal custody.
>> Well, we asked that he not
have any legal custody in court.
I drafted multiple proposed
orders, we submitted them to the
court.
And the orders that we got back
from the court basically
indicated that, one: we're going
to hold your petition that you
filed for emergency custody in
abeyance until the social
services investigation or
federal investigation was
completed.
Well, it's been completed and
now they moved to dismiss the
case.
And ironically, they lost
your petition for custody, so
that's a green light for you to
move forward.
Or an alternative: to do nothing
and just bank on what you
already have, at the tribal
court, which is an order
that does say joint legal and
primary physical.
But you want more.
>> ROBIN: I want sole custody.
I want sole legal and sole
physical custody of the kids.
>> I can't guarantee you
anything in tribal court, 'cause
judges on the Spirit Lake Nation
are appointed by the tribe and
they are not elected and they're
not law-trained.
Okay?
So, yes, it's amazing that
you've got do to this over, it's
frustrating, but this is kind of
how things work there.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> It's really sad to think that
they claim they lost it now, but
if you look at a previous order,
it says, "We have your custody
request and we'll hold it in
abeyance."
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> So, it really is hard to
believe.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> The best thing about the
whole scenario is, you know when
you serve him for custody, it'll
be easy because he's in prison.
>> ROBIN: Okay.
>> Why don't you check your mail
in a couple days.
And I'll try to get something to
you, and we'll get started on
it.
>> ROBIN: Mm-hmm.
>> Nice seeing you and I'll try
and get right on this.
>> ROBIN: All right.
Sounds good.
Thanks.
>> Bye bye.
I'll see you.
>> ROBIN: When I began this
journey, I was scared because
all I wanted to do was stay
sober and be a good mom, but I
didn't know if I could do that.
I've learned I'm capable of
doing that and taking care of my
kids.
The healing process has been
hard for me and the kids, but
we've learned a lot about our
spirits.
My ex-husband Anthony is going
to be getting out later this
year.
I don't know how I'll deal
with that, but I've learned that
I'm not afraid to deal with
anything that comes my way.
And if I can help that one
person on their journey by
telling my story, I'll be
standing proud and standing
tall.
(man chanting Native American
song)
♪ Dearie, I can still remember
the time I was with you ♪
♪ Honey dear,
I don't care what they say
about you ♪
♪ I still love you,
I'll always love you
Ah, ey, aho, ah, ey, aho... ♪
>> (woman singing Native song)