| The many wives of Bountiful B.C.'s Attorney-General probing sect's polygamy, alleged trafficking of teenage girls to U.S. | |
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By Daphne Bramham Vancouver Sun | |
BOUNTIFUL, B.C. - No one in this polygamous community disputes that most of its first-time mothers are younger than 18. Nobody disputes that the fathers are often three or four times older than the mothers. Nobody disputes that many are the "plural wives" of men much older than them. These things are not disputed, because the fathers sign their names on birth-registry forms sent to the provincial government. But Marlene Palmer, a plural wife and the most outspoken defender of Bountiful's way of life, disputes the allegations that the women and girls do not have a choice about becoming "celestial wives" in their teens. Those accusations have sparked an investigation by B.C.'s Attorney-General, which began last month. "Women and girls do get to choose who they marry," Ms. Palmer says. "Most are 17, 18 and some are as old as 20 when they get married. There have been some who are 16 and occasionally some who are 15 ... But they never marry without their parents' permission." The residents of this commune, nestled in the woods along the U.S. border, about 100 kilometres west of the Alberta border, are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), and they believe polygamy is the "new and everlasting covenant." That belief separates them from mainstream Mormons. FLDS members say they are the true Mormons and that the mainstream church has broken away from Joseph Smith's teachings in general and his directive on polygamy in particular. Polygamy, though, is not the main reason for Geoff Plant's investigation. He said last month the province wants to examine all facets of the 57-year-old community, in particular allegations from women who have left the commune who say girls in their early teens have been compelled to wed middle-aged men and have been routinely trafficked between Canada and the group's fellow communities in the United States. Ms. Palmer, a 45-year-old mother of six, insists the women of Bountiful have plenty of choice. "I was 17 when I married the first time and 32 the second time and absolutely, I had a choice," she says. "It's fabulous. I really love the man." Ms. Palmer's brother is Winston Blackmore, the former bishop of Bountiful. He is a powerful businessman and wealthy landowner and is said to have 26 wives and more than 80 children. Mr. Blackmore, who refused repeated requests for an interview, has repeatedly said that polygamy is a religious practice and, as such, is protected by the Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom. The commune's critics note that Canadian law prohibits people in positions of power and authority from having sex with anyone under 18. And, of course, there is a law prohibiting polygamy or multiple spouses. Mr. Plant has said the government will also look into allegations that racism and sexism are being taught at the government-supported school and accusations that plural wives are claiming to be single mothers so they can collect welfare and child support. Jane Blackmore, who left the commune two years ago but still works there as its midwife, says the youngest mother she has seen was only 14. But there have been others who are 15 and 16 when their babies are born. Most women, she says, have had their first child by 18. All of her young mothers are healthy and so are all of the babies that she's delivered so far. "For the most part, younger women have babies easier," Ms. Blackmore says. "But the younger women have other problems." She declines to elaborate. There have been concerns raised about inbreeding in the reclusive community since its sister communities in the United States are experiencing problems. But Ms. Blackmore says she hasn't seen any evidence of that in Bountiful. Ms. Blackmore is guarded in what she will say. Her caution is not surprising since she wants to remain Bountiful's midwife. But more importantly, she wants to maintain her close family ties. Ms. Blackmore is Winston Blackmore's first and only legal wife. Six of their eight children still live in Bountiful even though Jane left her husband in 2002. "I left because I was finished living that way. I just want to live ..." she paused. "More time will have to pass before I can say anything more than that." Ms. Blackmore describes her marriage as "an arranged marriage" that was brokered by her father -- one of the community's founders, Dalmon Oler -- and Ray Blackmore, another of the community's founders. The couple married in their teens and Mr. Blackmore soon began taking "celestial" wives. Was she happy? "I think many women find happiness in arranged marriages. They don't find every aspect of their lives wonderful, but they are content and fulfilled." But when asked about the women who only have one husband, Ms. Blackmore says, "They are really lucky." Ms. Blackmore wants Bountiful to change. But pressed about what changes she would like to see, she is reluctant to give specifics. "My concerns are not mainly for the girls, but for the community in general. I'd like there to be more education and more opportunities. The main change will come when there is more education." Bountiful's women have families far in excess of the Canadian average, usually with nine or 10 children at home. Those children are part of large extended families that typically include one or two of their father's other wives and dozens of half-brothers and half-sisters. Debbie Palmer, Marlene's 49-year-old sister, shares none of her sibling's fondness for Bountiful's way of life. At 15, Debbie Palmer became the third wife to Winston Blackmore's father -- a man 42 years her elder. She fled the commune in 1988 and has been one of its more outspoken critics. She said the B.C. government has evidence in its own birth records that will prove adult men impregnated underage girls. "We know of girls as young as 13 involved in trafficking across the border," says Debbie Palmer, who now lives in Saskatchewan. "And some have been exposed to horrifically abusive situations." To get an idea of just how complex the family relationships are in Bountiful, consider this. By marrying Ray Blackmore, Debbie became a step-mother to her step-mother and as a result, a step-grandmother to herself and to her sister Jane, who is a year younger than Debbie. After Ray Blackmore died, Debbie was reassigned first to 54-year-old Sam Ralston. By the time she left the community, she had had three different husbands and eight children. She was never legally married. Marlene Palmer disputes her sister's suggestions that women and children are brainwashed, abused and not allowed to stay in school. Cherene Palmer emphatically agrees with Marlene. "We are free agents. I have a bank card," she says, waving a set of keys. "I have my own car and my own home. Absolutely no one is pushing me." Cherene is 57 and the mother of 14 children, all of whom live in and around Bountiful. She claims to have the largest family in Bountiful. She never legally married her children's father, who is now dead, and has retained her maiden name. Cherene and Marlene also adamantly deny that there is any physical or sexual abuse at Bountiful. "I am part of Creston's emergency response team," says Marlene. "I work with the police. I would never, ever keep abuse quiet. If I knew a child or a woman was being abused, I would go to the police." Cherene also says if there were abuse, she'd know about it through her close connections in the community and through her work as a teacher's aide at Mormon Hills elementary school -- the school Winston Blackmore set up after he lost control of the Bountiful Elementary-Secondary School. Mr. Blackmore was for many years the commune's bishop -- until two years ago, when he was ex-communicated by the new Prophet Warren Jeffs -- and he was also the superintendent of Bountiful Elementary-Secondary School, a government-funded independent school. Despite her firm believe that the B.C. government will find nothing amiss, Marlene -- like her brother -- welcomes the probe into allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and claims of racist and sexist teachings at Bountiful Elementary-Secondary School. "I think it's wonderful. If they go through the homes and if they find something, I wholeheartedly support getting it corrected," she said. Marlene agreed to take a reporter and photographer on a tour of Bountiful after going for a workout at Curves -- a ladies-only gym. But after a bit of exercise, Marlene had a change of heart about being tour guide. Cherene offered to do it instead. And we were almost out of the office when Winston Blackmore called. The women had a brief meeting in a back office. When they emerged, Marlene said Mr. Blackmore didn't think it would be a good idea if any of them went with us to Bountiful. | |
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Vancouver Sun Originally published August 7, 2004 | |
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